Chlorfluazuron, an insect growth regulator for management of Spodoptera litura in tobacco seedbeds

Abstract

Spodoptera litura is the key pest of tobacco seedbeds in India. It is one of the major limiting factors in successful production of quality tobacco seedlings. Chlorfluazuron (Atabron 5.4 EC) @ 0.0075%, 0.015% & 0.03% was evaluated against S.litura in tobacco seed beds in a replicated experiment along with novaluron 10 EC @ 0.01%, lufenuron 5 EC @ 0.006% and emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 0.0025% for two seasons. The results showed that emamectin benzoate @ 0.0025%, recorded the lowest seedling damage (3.3-5.91%) followed by chlorfluazuron 0.03% (4.53-7.52). The studies on persistent toxicity showed that emamectin benzoate @ 0.0025% recorded more than 90 per cent mortality up to 14 days after spray (DAS), whereas chlorfluazuron 0.03% recorded 100 per cent mortality up to 6 DAS. Studies on persistent residual toxicity to S.litura on tobacco seedlings showed that, the period of persistency was 20 days and 12 days for emamectin benzoate @ 0.0025% and chlorfluazuron @ 0.03% respectively. Chlorfluazuron 5.4% EC @ 0.03% can be used to effectively manage S.litura damage in tobacco seed beds in rotation with emamectin benzoate.