Performance of schedule-based and economic threshold level-based application of insecticides to control chiku moth (Nephopteryx eugraphella) in sapota (Manilkara zapota) trees

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during 2000-2002 at Horticulture farm, Anand, Gujarat, to evaluate economic threshold level-based and schedule-based application of effective insecticides against chiku moth (Nephopteryx eugraphella Ragonot) infesting 'Kalipatti' sapota [Mazilkarzaa pota (L.) van Royen] orchard. In the treatment of economic threshold level ( 1 larva/twig)-based application, 1 or 2 (monocrotophos 0.04% and endosulfan 0.07%) sprays were required compared to 4 to 10 sprays (monocrotophos 0.04% and endosulfan 0.07%, alternately at 15-day intervals) in schedule-based treatment. The leaf damage by N. eugraphella was 15-20% and 20-30% in schedule and economic threshold level-based application respectively. It was 30-45% in the control trees. The cost of application of monocrotophos 0.04% and endosulfan 0.07% worked out to be Rs 690 and 640 respectively.