Effectiveness of various eco-friendly treatments comprising of cultural practices and neem based botanicals against shootfly (Atherigona pulla Wiede) in little millet var

Abstract

A study was undertaken at little millet research plot of Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi during Kharif season of 2017, in order to ascertain the effect of different eco-friendly treatments comprising of cultural practices and neem based botanicals against shootfly infesting little millet i.e. variety Birsa Gundli 1. Cultural practices like 1.5 times of recommended seed rate and early sowing like 15 days before normal sowing were taken as treatments. And there were three botanicals and one chemical insecticides with control. Seed treatment with insecticide before the sowing the crop and one spray were applied of botanical in each treatment for which first spray was done at 7 days after germination of the crop and second was repeated after 15 days of first spray. Spraying of 1500 ppm neem /azadiractin application should be applied at seventh day after sowing which gave maximum grain yield and minimum incidence of shootfly. However, highest cost benefit ratio was obtained with seed treatment with chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 2.5 ml/kg of seed.