EVALUATION OF BIORATIONALS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF SUCKING PESTS IN FENUGREEK

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted at the Seed Spices Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Jagudan during the rabi seasons of 2018–19, 2019–20 and 2020–21. Fenugreek is an important spice and medicinal crop and is severely affected by sucking pests such as aphids and leaf hoppers, leading to considerable yield losses. All treatments significantly reduced pest infestation compared to the control. Among them, Beauveria bassiana (40 g/10 L) followed by azadirachtin 10,000 ppm (30 ml/10 L) recorded the lowest aphid (1.22 aphid index) and leaf hopper population (1.24 per three leaves). The highest seed yield (1512 kg/ha) was obtained in plots treated with B. bassiana (40 g/10 L) followed by azadirachtin 10,000 ppm (30 ml/10 L), which was statistically at par with B. bassiana (40 g/10 L) followed by azadirachtin 1500 ppm (40 ml/10 L) (1449 kg/ha). Economic analysis revealed that B. bassiana (40 g/10 L) + azadirachtin 10,000 ppm (30 ml/10 L) was the most profitable treatment (PCBR: 7.95), followed by B. bassiana (40 g/10 L) + azadirachtin 1500 ppm (40 ml/10 L) (PCBR: 7.65).