Comparative Efficacy of Eco-friendly and Chemical Treatments for Managing Yellow Stem Borer (Scirpophaga incertulas) in Basmati Rice
Shudhanshu Baliyan *
Department of Entomology, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, U.P. 250110, India.
Hem Singh
Department of Entomology, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, U.P. 250110, India.
Mohit Tiwari
Department of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, U.P. 208002, India.
Nikhil Kumar
Department of Entomology, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, U.P. 250110, India.
Deeksha Singh
Department of Entomology, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, 263145, India.
Ayushi Choudhary
Department of Plant Pathology, Rajasthan Agriculture Research Institute Durgapura, Jaipur, 302018, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a major staple food crop globally, but its productivity is severely constrained by insect pests, particularly the yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas Walker). Yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas), causing 20-70% yield losses, threatens rice production. A Kharif 2022, field study at SVPUAT, Meerut, evaluated four botanicals, one biopesticide, and one insecticide against this pest in basmati rice using a randomized block design. Results indicated that cartap hydrochloride was most effective (48.2 q/ha, 1:9.45 cost-benefit ratio), followed by Metarhizium anisopliae (44.4 q/ha) and nimbecidine (42.8 q/ha), which significantly reduced dead hearts and white ears. These bio-rational agents offer sustainable options for integrated pest management, reducing reliance on harmful chemical insecticides.
Keywords: Basmati rice, yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas, botanicals, biopesticides, Metarhizium anisopliae, Cartap hydrochloride