Development of integrated pest management approaches against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) in tomato

Abstract

Five IPM packages viz. T₁=Pheromone trap @ 70 traps ha^-1 + Neem seed kernel extract @ 50 g L^-1 of water; T₂=Pheromone trap + HaNPV @ 0.4 ml L^-1 of water and Bt @ 2.0 g L^-1 of water; T₃=Pheromone trap + Neem seed kernel extract + HaNPV and Bt; T₄=Pheromone trap + Trichogramma chillnis @ 50,000 ha^-1 and Bracon hebetor @ 1200 ha^-1; T₅=Pheromone trap + Neem seed kernel extract + T. chilonis and B. hebetor were evaluated against H. armigera in tomato. The lowest fruit infestation by number (12.55%) was attained from T₅ followed by T₂ (15.49%). Significantly the lowest fruit infestation by weight was found in treatment T₂ (10.60%) followed by T₅ (11.73%). The highest yield was obtained from T₅ (29.74 t ha^-1) followed by T₂ (26.77 t ha^-1). The highest marginal benefit cost ratio was achieved from T₂ (3.41) followed by T₅ (3.35). Hence, considering benefit cost ratio, T₂ and T₅ packages may be the effective tools for managing H. armigera in tomato.

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 41(2): 287-296, June 2016