Journal of FARM SCIENCES, Vol 22, No 3 (2009)

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Field evaluation of different entomopathogenic fungal formulations against sucking pests of okra

P.R Harishchandra Naik, Shekharappa .

Abstract


A field experiment was carried out to study the bioefficacy of different entomopathogenic fungal formulations viz., crude, wettable powder and oil based formulation of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Verticillium lecanii against sucking pests of okra during kharif 2007-08. Oil based formulation of M. anisopliae recorded minimum of 5.25 leafhopper/3 leaves followed by B. bassiana oil based (6.88) and V. lecanii oil based (7.75) after second spray. In aphid management, oil based formulation of V. lecanii was best and recorded 7.75 aphids/3 leaves followed by B. bassiana oil based recorded the 9.75 aphids/3 leaves after second spray. Oil based formulation of V. lecanii recorded the mean number of 2.70 whiteflies/3 leaves followed by oil based formulation of B. bassiana (3.15) after second spray. Similarly oil based formulations of B. bassiana recorded 2.58 thrips/3 leaves followed by V.lecanii oil based (3.00). The M. anisopliae oil based formulation recorded 9.75 mites/3 leaves followed by oil based formulations of B. bassiana (9.25) after second spray. However, all these formulations were next best to standard check. The yield of okra was significantly higher in oil based formulation of M. anisopliae (38.80 q/ha) and V. lecanii (38.50 q/ha) with monitory returns of   Rs. 14720 and Rs. 14480/ha, respectively followed by B. bassiana. However, highest the benefit cost ratio of 18.40:1 and 16.68:1 were recorded in V. lecanii and M. anisopliae wettable powder formulation, respectively.

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