Management of shoot and capsule borer of small cardamom through insecticides and bio-pesticides

Abstract

Conogethes punctiferalis Guenee (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is considered to be an important pest causing damage to the cardamom suckers as well as capsules. Among the evaluated insecticides and bio-pesticides, Flubendiamide 480 SC showed the maximum reduction of shoot damage (13.00% incidence) after spray followed by Carbosulfan 25 EC (15.80% incidence). The untreated control showed 30.00 per cent of shoot damage. Similarly, Acetamiprid 20 SP SC showed the maximum reduction of capsule damage (15.15% incidence) after spray followed by Flubendiamide 480 SC and Thiamethoxam 70 WS (16.00% incidence) which were on par with each other. The untreated control showed 22.22 per cent of capsule damage. The bio-pesticides, Poneem and Econeem plus showed minimum shoot damage (22.00 and 21.40%) compared to control. Similarly, Poneem and Econeem plus showed minimum capsule damage (17.40 and 16.45%) which were on par with other treatments and superior over untreated control. Maximum benefit cost ratio was noticed in Flubendiamide (1:4.05) followed by Carbosulfan (1:3.87) and Acetamiprid (1:3.60).