Sagar Dahal; Bhola Gautam; Bala Sharma; Kamal Neupane; Santosh Kandel; Samikshya Sedhai; Grace Tiwari; Laxmi Narayan Ojh

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS AGAINST POD BORER (MARUCA TESTULALIS GEYER) AND POD SUCKING BUGS (RIPTORTUS DENTIPES) OF COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUICULATA (L.) WALP.) | Tropical Agrobiodiversity

The efficacy of different management practices comprising cowpea/sorghum intercropping, microbial insecticide: Spinosad, neem-based botanical pesticide: neemix and synthetic insecticide: Chlorpyriphos 50 + Cypermethrin 5 were evaluated against pod borer and pod sucking bugs of cowpea. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized block design at Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Nepal. All the treatments except cowpea/sorghum intercropping significantly reduced the flower infestation of pod borer larvae. The lowest number of infected flower and number of larvae per flower was observed in Spinosad treated plot. Also, the highest percentage of reduction in flower infestation was observed in Spinosad treated plots. Similarly, Chlorpyriphos 50 + Cypermethrin 5 treated plots showed the least number of pod bug infestation followed by Spinosad. The highest yield and lowest weight of damaged pod was recorded in Spinosad treated plots along with the lowest percentage infestation of pods by weight. The highest net income per hectare of land was recorded in Spinosad followed by Chlorpyriphos 50 + Cypermethrin 5 treatment. The marginal benefit cost ratio showed that the highest profit per unit rupee spent over control was obtained in Chlorpyriphos 50 + Cypermethrin 5 treatment followed by Spinosad. Considering the results obtained, Spinosad an eco-friendly, safe and less hazardous bio-pesticide has been recommended as a good approach for the management of cowpea pod borer and pod sucking bug.

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