Comparative Efficacy of Certain IPM Strategies Against Tobacco Caterpillar and Head Borer in Sunflower

Abstract

The Experiments was conducted at Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station, Ranital, Bhadrak, OUAT(Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology), Odisha, India during the summer seasons(Jan-may) of 2019–20 and 2020–21 to evaluate the comparative efficacy some IPM modules against the head borer and leaf eating caterpillar in sunflower. Five IPM modules(three chemo-intensive and two bio-intensive modules) were evaluated against the existing pesticides application-based farmers’ practice. The results revealed that the IPM module (M₂) comprising of installation of pheromone traps for pest monitoring @ 5  ha^-1, poison baits (10 kg rice bran+2 kg jaggery+100 g Thiodicarb 70WP) for attracting and killing of tobacco caterpillar larvae and alternate spray of neem oil formulations (1500 ppm) @ 1.5 l ha^-1 and the novel insecticide mixed formulation (Novaluron 5.25%+Emamectin benzoate 0.9% SC) @ 825 ml ha^-1 at 15 days interval had significantly suppressed tobacco caterpillar (5.46% leaf damage i.e.. 67.59% reduction over FP) and sunflower head (2.93% head damage i.e. 75.32% deduction over FP). The IPM module ( M₃) comprising of pheromone trap installation @ 5 each ha^-1,poison baits (10 kg rice bran+2 kg jaggery+200 ml deltamethrin 5EC) and alternate spray of neem oil formulations (1500 ppm) @ 1.5 l ha^-1 and Flubendiamide 480 SC @ 150 ml ha^-1) also had statistically similar efficacy against the target pests with 6.40% leaf damage (62.02% reduction over FP) and 3.54% head damage(70.17% reduction over FP). Though, the BIPM module had moderate efficacy against the insect-pests under study, retained maximum population of predatory fauna like predatory bug (Eocanthecona furcellata) and lady bird beetles in the sunflower ecosystem.