Bio-efficacy of Different Insecticides on Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Bamiyan Province, Afghanistan

Abstract

Potatoes are dominantly cultivated in Bamiyan province and play an important role in food safety inside the country. Colorado potato beetle is a major pest of potatoes that decreases the yield and quality of the potatoes. In this study evaluated the effect of different insecticides on the management of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in Bamiyan province of Afghanistan. The study was carried out in Kahmard District of Bamiyan province, in 2018. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) using 700 ml/ hectare of imidacloprid SL and 900ml/ hectare of cypermethrin EC, carbaryl EC, deltamethrin EC, and chlorpyrifos SL with three replications. The data were recorded 1 day before the application of each insecticide and at 3, 5 and 7-days intervals post-application. The statistical analyses showed that cypermethrin EC was the most effective in comparison to other insecticides for reducing the Colorado potato beetle population resulting in an increase in yield. Non-treated plots had a significantly higher number of Colorado potato beetle in comparison to insecticide-treated plots. However, no significant difference was seen within the insecticide-treated plots. Insecticide-treated plots had significantly higher yields in comparison to non-treated ones.