Efficacy of abamectin alone or in combination with emamectin benzoate, lambda-cyhalothrin and lufenuron against the infestation of cucurbit fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coq.)

Abstract

In this study, abamectin, emamectin benzoate, lufenuron and lambda-cyhalothrin were evaluated against the Bactrocera cucurbitae. Abamectin was applied alone and in combination with the others. A total of two sprays were given and data on percent fruit infestation, number of marketable fruit/m 2 , infested and marketable fruit yield (t/ha) were collected on 3, 7 and 10 DAT. All the combined treatments significantly reduced percent fruit infestation. The highest infestation was observed in control ranged from 12.07 to 67.61%. Abamectin significantly reduced the fruit infestation (16.81%) compared to control which was further reduced in abamectin plus lambda-cyhalothrin (13.40%) treatment. Others parameters like maximum number of marketable fruit/m 2 (6.50/m 2 ), the highest marketable yield (9.39 t/ha) and lowest infested yield (3.36 t/ha) were also recorded from the same treatment. However, the combined treatments of abamectin with the others had no additive effects. Therefore, abamectin plus lambda-cyhalothrin could serve as an effective strategy for the management of the cucurbit fruit fly.