Assessment of biopesticides and insecticide against pseudostem weevil Odoiporus longicollis Oliver in red banana

Abstract

The pseudostem weevil (Odoiporus longicollis) is one of the most dangerous pests in banana crop. On farm and laboratory experiments were carried out at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pechiparai, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India during the period 2010-2011 to assess the bio-efficacy of Beauveria bassiana, Azadirachtin 10000 ppm and monocrotophos (spray and injection) insecticide against pseudostem weevil, Odoiporus longicollis Oliver (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Red banana. Injection of monocrotophos @ 4ml/plant registered the highest per cent reduction (76.07%) followed by the injection of Azadirachtin 2ml/plant (70.0%), application of B. bassiana @ 25g on the pseudostem trap (56.75%) and monocrotophos spray (38.39%). However, application of monocrotophos (4ml/plant) and Azadirachtin (2ml/plant) by stem injection proved to be more effective than by spraying of monocrotophos. Stem injection of monocrotophos, Azadirachtin and the application of B. bassiana recorded the highest per cent mortality of 96.15, 84.74 and 75.36%, respectively, after 96 hrs of application. All the treatments were found to increase the fruit yield with better cost benefit ratio. © JBiopest.