Abstract
The major pestiferous insects during both crop seasons included aphids and diamond back moth; while, flea beetles and painted bug attained pest status during 2015-16; besides, tobacco caterpillar was noticed during 2016-17. Maximum reduction in aphid population (45.81 and 54.07%, respectively, at 1 and 3 DAS) was recorded for A. indica oil followed by Spinosad 45%SC; same schedule had maximum reduction of flea beetle population 1-DAS (50.03%); while, 3 and 7 days after spray Spinosad 45%SC followed by Spinosad 45%SC gave significantly higher reduction (75.21 and 64.62%, respectively). Maximum reduction of painted bug population (68.37% at 3DAS) was due to A. incida oil followed by Sl-NPV. Treatment schedule of Spinosad 45%SC followed by Spinosad 45%SC was most effective against DBM during both crop seasons with significantly lowest pooled larval population per plant being 0.82 and 1.0, 3 and 7 days after first spray; likewise, 1.62, 0.92, and 0.90, 1, 3 and 7 days after second spray. Similarly, against tobacco caterpillar, treatment schedule Spinosad 45%SC followed by Spinosad 45%SC was most effective at 3 DAS (0.71 larvae/plant); while, schedules A. indica oil followed by Spinosad 45%SC and A. indica oil followed by Sl-NPV were equally effective 7 DAS during crop season 2016-17 (0.90 larvae/plant).
Acknowledgement
The authors express their gratitude to the Dean, Rajasthan College of Agriculture and Head, Department of Entomology for providing necessary facilities for the smooth conduct of the field trials and laboratory work.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.