Field evaluation of management strategies against Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) (Homoptera: Aphididae) infesting Indian mustard in Haryana, India

Effectiveness of diverse eco-safe strategies against mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) infesting Indian mustard was evaluated for two years with 11 treatments viz., Beauveria bassiana @ 108 CS ml-1, neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) @ 5 per cent, neem oil @ 5 per cent, B. bassiana @ 108 CS ml-1 after clipping of infested twigs (CIT), nimbecidine @ 0.03 per cent, NSKE @ 5 per cent after CIT, neem oil @ 5 per cent after CIT, nimbecidine @ 0.03 per cent  after CIT, clipping of infested twigs alone, dimethoate 30 EC @ 625 ml ha-1 and control. The pooled data revealed that dimethoate contributed maximum efficacy in reducing L. erysimi population over control (89.74 %), followed by B. bassiana after CIT (83.16 %) and nimbecidine @ 0.03 per cent after CIT (80.51%). Seed yield (1716 kg ha-1) was maximum in dimethoate , followed by treatments B. bassiana @ 108 CS ml-1 after CIT (1636.5 kg ha-1) and nimbecidine @ 0.03 per cent  after CIT (1608 kg ha-1), whereas minimum (1211 kg ha-1) in the control. The gross income (Rs 64350 ha-1) and net return (Rs 18017 ha-1) were highest in dimethoate, followed by B. bassiana @ 108 CS       ml-1 after CIT with gross income of Rs 61388 ha-1 and net return of Rs 13865 ha-1. The incremental cost-benefit ratio was also maximum in dimethoate (1: 19.58), followed by  B. bassiana, nimbecidine and NSKE treatments (1: 6.33 to 7.27). Results suggest that  B. bassiana @ 108 CS ml-1 after CIT and nimbecidine @ 0.03 per cent after CIT can be used as a non- chemical control option as a substitute to chemical control.