ECOFRIENDLY MANAGEMENT OF TOMATO FRUIT BORER, HELICOVERPA ARMIGERA (HUBNER)

Abstract

Studies on the efficacy of different sequential application of microbials viz., nucleopolyhedrovirus of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (HaNPV @ 1.5x1012 OB/ha), Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki Berliner (Delfin® 25 WG @1kg/ha), spinosad 45 SC (@ 75 g a.i./ha) and neem (neemazol 1.2 EC @ 1000ml/ha) against H. armigera in comparison with sequential application of synthetic insecticides and untreated control on tomato F1 hybrid Ruchi. Results of the field experiments showed that different sequential application of microbials and neemazol were equally effective as that of sequential application of synthetic chemical insecticides viz., endosulfan 35 EC (@ 350 g a.i./ha), quinolphos 25 EC (@ 250 g a.i./ha) and indoxacarb 14.5 SC (@ 75 g a.i./ha) in reducing H. armigera larval population and fruit damage. Relatively higher number of predatory mirids (Macrolophus spp.) and spiders (Argiope spp and Thomisus spp.) were recorded in microbials and neem applied plots compared to the chemical insecticides treated plot. Thus the microbials and neem could be the best alternatives for the sustainable management of H. armigera on tomato with less impact on the naturally occurring predatory arthropods.