The efficiency of control of the number of Helicoverpa armigera Hbn. In sunflower sowings

Abstract

The insect Helicoverpa armigera Hbn. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a widespread species in the Palearctic. It is considered one of the main pests of many agricultural crops, annually causing more than $ 2 billion of losses to agriculture in the world. Therefore, insecticide treatment of sowings is crucial in pest control. The frequent application of pesticides increases resistance in insects, resulting in an increase in dosage and (or) in the usage of new highly toxic chemicals. Consequently, the search for reliable means of pest control remains a problem. In 2017-2019, we studied the efficiency of insecticides against H. armigera in sunflower sowings at V.S. Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops (Krasnodar). In 2017, the colonization of sunflower heads with H. armigera caterpillars was at the level of 3.2 specimen/plant, in 2018 - 4.5 specimen/plant, in 2019 it reached 6.0 specimen/plant. Bifetrin + Chlorpyrifos, EC (87 %) and Chlorantraniliprole, SC (91 %) showed the highest biological efficiency. Fitoverm-M, EC was the best organic insecticide - 56 %. The treatment of sunflower plants with Beta-cypermethrin + Dimethoate, EC (standard) and Chlorantraniliprole, SC in a production experiment contributed to a significant decrease in the number of caterpillars - 71.7 and 97.0 %, respectively. The yield reliably exceeded the control one, the kept yield was 0.23-0.39 t/ha.