Innovative Strategies for Controlling Sorghum Shoot Fly: Seed Treatments and Botanical Insecticides

Ritu Bhall

Department of Entomology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, Haryana, India.

Bajrang Lal Sharma *

Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Forage Section, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, Haryana, India.

Sunita Yadav

Department of Entomology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, Haryana, India.

Kapil

Department of Entomology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, Haryana, India.

Akshay Kumar

Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru-560065, Karnataka, India.

Arvind

Department of Entomology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, Haryana, India.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Aim: To assess the efficacy of various treatments for managing sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata Rondani, and their effects on plant vigour, growth, yield, and Incremental Cost-Benefit Ratio (ICBR).

Study Design: A field experiment with a Randomized Block Design, involving three replications and nine treatments.

Place and Duration of Study: Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (29.1492° N, 75.7217° E), during the Kharif season of 2020.

Methodology: Sorghum variety Swarna was sown in August 2020. Treatments included Imidacloprid 70WS, Thiamethoxam 30FS, Neem oil, Karanj oil, and their combinations. Treatments were applied at 7 and 17 days after emergence. Data on plant stand, egg counts, dead hearts (%), plant height, green fodder yield, and ICBR were analyzed.

Results: Thiamethoxam 30FS @ 10ml/kg + neem oil @ 2% showed the best performance, significantly reducing shoot fly infestation (19.98%) and enhancing plant vigour (1.00), height (86.93 cm), and yield (309.60 q/ha). Neem oil @ 2% was more effective than Karanj oil @ 2%. Imidacloprid 70WS had the highest Incremental Cost Benefit Ratio (ICBR) (1:21), while Karanj oil @ 2% had the lowest (1:0.78).

Conclusion: Thiamethoxam 30FS @ 10ml/kg + neem oil @ 2% was the most effective for managing shoot fly and improving crop performance. Imidacloprid 70WS offered the highest economic benefit, indicating its cost-effectiveness in pest management.

Keywords: Atherigona soccata, sorghum, plant vigour, Incremental Cost-Benefit Ratio (ICBR), pest management


How to Cite

Bhall, Ritu, Bajrang Lal Sharma, Sunita Yadav, Kapil, Akshay Kumar, and Arvind. 2024. “Innovative Strategies for Controlling Sorghum Shoot Fly: Seed Treatments and Botanical Insecticides”. Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 27 (10):661-68. https://doi.org/10.9734/jabb/2024/v27i101487.