Field evaluation of bio-rational and integrated pest management strategies against Helicoverpa armigera Hübner in tomato

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Moga, Punjab to evaluate the efficacy of biorational and integrated pest management strategies against Helicoverpa armigera Hübner infesting tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments included chemical insecticides chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (Coragen), flubendiamide 39.35 SC (Fame), and spinosad 48 SC (Tracer), biological agents Bacillus thuringiensis (Delfin WG), a homemade neem extract and an integrated approach comprising sequential applications of spinosad and B. thuringiensis along with pheromone mass trapping. Larval populations were recorded before treatment and at 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after each spray. Among all treatments, chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 0.5 mL L–¹ proved most effective, recording 96.26% reduction in larval population at 14 days after the second spray. Spinosad 48 SC @ 0.3 mL L–¹ and flubendiamide 39.35 SC @ 0.3 mL L–¹ were the next most effective treatments, achieving 93.05 and 89.30% reduction, respectively. B. thuringiensis and homemade neem extract provided moderate suppression, whereas the integrated approach resulted in 76.99% reduction at 14 days after the second spray. The results indicate that chlorantraniliprole and spinosad offer effective management of H. armigera and can be integrated with biological and mechanical tactics as part of a sustainable pest management strategy for tomato cultivation.