Bioefficacy, phytotoxicity and insecticide residue dynamics of chlorantraniliprole in brinjal (Solanum melongena) under field condition

Abstract

Brinjal shoot and fruit borer (BSFB) (Leucinodes orbonalis (Gennadius)) causes significant economic harm to brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) production. The present study was carried out at research farm of ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to standardize the optimum dose of chlorantraniliprole 18.5% sc (CAP) to manage BSFB under field conditions and to quantify the residue of CAP in brinjal for food safety. Three CAP doses (20, 40, and 80 g a.i./ha) along with an old generic insecticide (cypermethrin 25% ec @50 g a.i./ ha) as a check and an untreated control were examined during 2017–19. CAP applications of 40 and 80 g a.i./ha were similarly efficient against BSFB and resulted in a significantly higher yield of brinjal fruit. The population of borers was reduced significantly in the treatment, CAP @40 g a.i./ha as compared to the untreated control. Phytotoxic effects of chlorantraniliprole 18.5% sc were not observed. Natural enemies of the brinjal ecosystem, viz. predatory pentatomid bug [Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff)], ladybird beetle [Coccinella septempunctata (Linn.)], and spider were unaffected by CAP treatment. When CAP was applied @40 and 80 g a.i./ha, chlorantraniliprole degraded from brinjal fruits with half-lives of 4.85 and 7 days, and pre-harvest intervals of 7 and 10 days were prescribed, respectively. Even at greater application doses, residues in a person's meals were found to be lower than the maximum permissible intake (24.96 mg/person/day) in day-zero samples. Chlorantraniliprole @40 g a.i./ha can be an effective alternative to the conventional insecticides against BSFB in brinjal, ensuring quality, sustainability, and safety.