Efficacy of combination insecticides against pod borer complex on pigeonpea at harvest

Abstract

A field study was conducted during 2024-2025 at the Entomology Section, College of Agriculture, Nagpur (Maharashtra) to evaluate the efficacy of combination insecticides against the pod borer complex on pigeonpea at harvest. The experiment aimed to assess the effectiveness of different insecticidal treatments against pod fly and lepidopteran pod borers and their influence on pod damage, grain damage, yield and economics. Nine combination insecticides were tested along with an untreated control under field conditions. Observations on per cent pod and grain damage were recorded at harvest and subjected to statistical analysis. The results revealed that all insecticidal treatments significantly reduced pod and grain damage compared to the untreated control. Among the treatments, Chlorantraniliprole 9.3% + Lambda-cyhalothrin 4.6% ZC was the most effective in minimizing pod and grain damage. However, the highest grain yield (14.03 q/ha) was recorded by Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda-cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC. The untreated control recorded the maximum pod and grain damage by pod borer complex at harvest. ICBR data revealed superiority of Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda-cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC with the highest ICBR of 1:9.09 with net returns of ₹47,751/ha.