Field Efficacy of Various Insecticides and Trichogramma Chilonis (Ishii) Against Tomato Fruit Borer Helicoverpa Armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Notctuidae)

Abstract

Abstract The present study investigated the comparative efficacy of botanical extracts (Neem 2 and 3%), commercial insecticide (Radiant) and bio-agent (Trichogramma chilonis) against tomato fruit borer Helicoverpa armigera in tomato crop under field conditions, Agriculture Research Institute (ARI) Tarnab Peshawar, 2019. The experiment was laid out under randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement having five treatments (Radiant, Neem (2 and 3%) and Trichogramma chilonis) replicated three times. Pre spray data was recorded before 24hrs of treatment application while post spray data was recorded after different time intervals (24hrs, 48hrs, 72hrs, 5 days, 7days, 10 days and 15 days) of each treatment application. Data regarding infestation showed that highest percent reduction over control was recorded in Radiant treated plots followed by Neem 3% and Trichogramma treated plots. The efficacy of each treatment was recorded at peak after 7 days then gradually declined and was found minimum after 15 days interval. However, highest larval and eggs infestation were recorded in control plots throughout the experimental period. Statistical analysis of the data also revealed that botanical extracts (Neem 2 and 3%), commercial insecticide (Radiant) and bio agent (Trichogramma chilonis) significantly reduced percent fruit damage. Highest percent reduction in comparison with control was recorded in the plots treated with commercial insecticide Radiant. Data further revealed that each treatment application significantly increased total tomato yield and total marketable tomato yield. Highest tomato total marketable yield (9583 kg ha-1) with 80% increase over control was recorded in the Radian treated plots. It can be concluded that Radiant, Trichocards and Neem 3% comparatively have a high potential in reduction of fruit infestation which as a result gives higher yield with high percentage of marketable fruits and with highest cost benefit ratio.