FIELD EFFICACY OF INSECTICIDES AGAINST OKRA SHOOT AND FRUIT BORER EARIAS VITELLA (F.)

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during kharif 2018 and 2019 to evaluate the efficacy of insecticides against okra shoot and fruit borer Earias vitella (F.). Out of nine insecticides, profenophos 50EC @ 500g a.i./ ha at fortnightly interval was found to the best giving maximum protection (2.55% shoot and 5.69% fruit damage) followed by spinosad 45SC @ 50g a.i./ ha and thiamethoxam 25WG @ 25g a.i./ ha. Amongst the botanicals used, Yam Bean Seed Extract-YBSE (5%) was found to be better. Application of profenophos 50EC (@ 500 g a.i./ha) led to maximum fruit yield (152.9 q/ ha) while the neem oil 3% yielded the least (131.1 q/ ha). Among the plant products, YBSE (5%) yielded maximum (136.2 q/ ha). The benefit-cost ratio was at its maximum (12.78:1) with profenophos 50EC, and it was closely followed by acetamiprid 20SP (11.57:1) and thiamethoxam 25WG (10.11:1).