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