Field efficacy of different insecticides against leaf-eating caterpillar Spodoptera litura infesting Soybean

Abstract

The investigation conducted at Polytechnic in Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Dhari (Gujarat) during the kharif seasons of 2021 and 2022 aimed to assess the field efficacy of various insecticides against the leaf-eating caterpillar Spodoptera litura Fabricius infesting soybean. Eight different chemical insecticides were tested during the kharif seasons of 2021 and 2022. The results revealed varying mortality levels among the tested insecticides. The highest percentage of mortality was observed in the treatment of chlorantraniliprole + lambda-cyhalothrin 0.075% (83.55%), followed by emamectin benzoate + lufenuron 0.0135% (80.03%), and novaluron + emamectin benzoate 0.0024% (77.66%). respectively, the lowest mortality was recorded in the treatment of quinalphos 0.050% (59.99%), which was statistically comparable to flubendiamide + thiacloprid 0.02% (62.44%). The highest yield of soybean (2510.41 kg/ha) was obtained from the plots treated with chlorantraniliprole + lambda-cyhalothrin 0.075%. This indicates the effectiveness of this particular insecticide combination in enhancing crop productivity. The treatment with emamectin benzoate + lufenuron 0.0135% resulted in the lowest avoidable loss in soybean yield (6.95%), while the treatment with quinalphos 0.050% had the highest avoidable loss (41.42%). The maximum increase in yield over the control was observed in the plots treated with chlorantraniliprole + lambda-cyhalothrin 0.075% (148.06%), followed by emamectin benzoate + lufenuron 0.0135% (130.83%). The treatment of chlorantraniliprole + lambda-cyhalothrin 0.075% resulted in the highest net realization (Rs. 76419/ha), followed by emamectin benzoate + lufenuron 0.0135% (Rs. 67526/ha). This indicates not only high yield but also economic viability.