Performance of different integrated pest management packages for the suppression of chickpea pod borer

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a major pulse crop in Bangladesh, but its productivity is severely constrained by the pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner). This study evaluated the efficacy of four integrated pest management (IPM) packages combining pheromone-based mass trapping, microbial and plant-derived biorational insecticides, and selective chemical sprays, compared with conventional farmer practice (Cypermethrin plus Chlorpyriphos: Nitro^®) and untreated control, across two Rabi seasons (2020–21 and 2021–22). Sex pheromone traps were installed to monitor and partially suppress adult H. armigera populations, and foliar applications of IPM components were performed during the pod formation stage, when chickpea pods are most vulnerable. All IPM packages significantly reduced pod damage relative to untreated control and conventional practices. The lowest pod infestation (2.83-3.01%) and highest yields (1.48-1.58 t ha⁻¹) were achieved in IPM packages integrating pheromone trapping with Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki plus Spinosad (Spinomax^®) or plant-derived Celastrus angulatus extract (Bio-Chamak^®), outperforming the conventional farmer practice (pod damage 4.53-5.97%; yield 1.34-1.39 t ha⁻¹). Peak moth captures occurred 60-80 days after sowing, and abiotic factors, particularly temperature and relative humidity, were positively associated with moth activity. Economic analysis indicated that, despite the highest marginal benefit-cost ratio (MBCR) for farmer practice (1.87) due to lower input costs, IPM packages achieved substantial yield improvements with MBCRs up to 1.39. These results demonstrate that biorational-based IPM strategies integrated with pheromone mass trapping effectively suppress H. armigera, and enhance chickpea productivity.

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 51(1): 567-581, March 2026