Field evaluation of various insecticides against bollworms and sucking pests in colour cotton

Abstract

A field trial on the comparative performance of insecticides against bollworms and sucking pests of coloured cotton (variety: Vaidehi-95) conducted, revealed significant reductions compared with the control. Flonicamid 50WG proved highly effective in controlling sucking pests, recording lowest mean populations of leafhopper (2.79 per 3 leaves), thrips (7.33 per 3 leaves), aphids (9.46 per 3 leaves) and whitefly (3.89 per 3 leaves), and was statistically on par with Buprofezin 25 EC for most pests. Spinosad 45 SC, Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC, Flubendiamide 39.35 SC, and Emamectin benzoate 5 SG demonstrated high efficacy against bollworms. Spinosad 45 SC recorded the lowest American bollworm (2.89 larvae per 10 plants) and pink bollworm (2.24 larvae per 20 bolls) incidence, followed closely by Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC. In terms of green boll damage, Spinosad 45 SC (26.08%) and Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (27.74%) were most effective, with Flubendiamide 39.35 SC and Emamectin benzoate 5 SG providing moderate protection. Beauveria bassiana was consistently the least effective treatment across all pest groups.