Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana and Bacillus thuringiensis as ecosafe alternatives to chemical insecticides against sunflower capitulum borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)

Abstract

During spring 2012, three biopesticides including DOR Beauveria bassiana SC (200, 250 and 300 mg l-1) (developed by ICAR-Directorate of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad, India), commercial B. bassiana formulation Daman 1 WP (5g l-1) and DOR Bt-5 (Bacillus thuringiensis formulation) (2.5 g l-1) along with synthetic insecticide profenophos 50 EC (0.05%) were evaluated under field conditions against sunflower capitulum/ head borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner). All the biopesticides were effective in suppressing the larval population of H. armigera and were safe to natural enemies found in sunflower agro-ecosystem. The seed yield was also significantly higher in all the treatments as compared to control. It was concluded from the study that DOR B. bassiana @ 200 mg l-1 and DOR Bt-5 @ 2.5 g l-1 are the potential candidates that can be used for early season suppression of H. armigera on sunflower and are safe to natural enemies as well. These entomopathogens may be useful components of H. armigera Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy.