Abstract

EFFICACY OF DIFFERENT INSECTICIDES AGAINST CUTWORM AGROTIS IPSILON (HUFN) ON POTATO CROP AS FOLIAR SPRAY AND SOIL APPLICATION

Manendra Kumar*

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L), the queen of vegetables is an ideal food crop because of its virtue like wide adaptability, flexibility of production and diverse range of human taste and preference. In India, the major production area of potato (about 74%) is located in three states namely Bihar, U.P. and West Bengal. Potato is attacked by more than 100 Arthropod pests. Cutworms, Aphids, leaf hoppers, white flies, Thrips, Termites, Red ants, Epilachna beetles etc. are considered as most serious pests. Out of various insect pests of potato, cutworm. (Agrotis ipsilon) is very destructive in Bihar. The efficacy of different insecticides like chlorpyrifos, endosulfan, quinalphos, phorate and carbofuran was studied. Chlorpyrifos 20 EC @ 0.5 L/ha as foliar application was most effective against cutworm when applied twice on plant foliage as well as ridges, first at earthing and second after 21 days of first spray. Foliage damage was recorded only 0.05% while tuber damage was recorded 0.15% by number and 0.10% by weight in this treatment.

Keywords: Potato, Pest, Cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon, Infestation, Insecticides.