Field evaluation of eco-friendly biocontrol package for the management of pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera Hubner, and fusarium wilt in chickpea, Cicer arietinum

Abstract

Helicoverpa armigera is a serious pest of chickpea and causes great damage to crop. Extensive and indiscriminate use of insecticides has led to the development of resistance in H. armigera. Among the several alternative methods for management of H. armigera, the nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) is promising, whereas Trichoderma sp. have shown promising results against chickpea wilt. The experiments to evaluate biocontrol package against H. armigera and wilt disease under field conditions were conducted. Lowest H. armigera larval population (0.71 larvae/plant) was recorded in chemical control, which was at a par with biocontrol package (0.91 larvae/plant), and both the treatments were significantly better than control. Lowest per cent pod damage (3.85%) was recorded in chemical control followed by biocontrol treatment (5.08%) and unsprayed control (8.61%). The yields from biocontrol package (13.45 q/ha) and chemical control (15.37 q/ha) were significantly higher than unsprayed control (10.7 q/ha). There was no disease incidence in all treatments in both 2008 and 2009.

Keywords:

• biocontrol
• chickpea
• Helicoverpa armigera
• management
• pod borer

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to Dr R.J. Rabindra, Project Director, NBAII, for supplying HaNPV and Head, Department of Entomology, PAU, Ludhiana, for providing necessary facilities.