Comparative bio-efficacy of newer insecticides and bio-pesticides against leafhopper, Empoasca kerri Pruthi of groundnut in semi-arid region of India

Abstract

In an investigation carried out during Kharif 2018, bio-efficacy of nine insecticides and bio-pesticides (including control) were tested against major sucking pest Leafhopper, Empoasca kerri Pruthi of groundnut at S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner (Rajasthan). On the basis of mean per cent reduction in leafhopper population the treatment of imidacloprid 17.8SL (84.31%) was found most effective, followed by thiamethoxam 25WG (81.66%) and acetamiprid 20SP (80%) and were also statistically at par with each other in their efficacy. Bio-pesticides Metarhizium anisopliae 1.15 WP (33.56%) and NSKE (Neem Seed Kernel Extract) (49.68%) were proved least effective, however both were differed significantly with each other. The descending order of effectiveness of treatments were as imidacloprid > thiamethoxam > acetamiprid > methyl demeton > fipronil > acephate > NSKE > Metarhizium anisopliae. The highest pod yield was obtained from the plot treated with insecticide imidacloprid (27.16 qha-1) followed by thiamethoxam (26.58 qha-1) and acetamiprid (26.11 qha-1) and were statistically at par with each other.