Bioefficacy of Some Biopesticides Against Insect Pests of Rice in Sikkim

The bioefficacy of six new biopesticides (three entomopathogenic fungi and three neem formulations) viz., Beauveria bassiana (Biopower®), Metarhizium anisopliae (Biomagic®), Verticillium lecanii (Verticel), Nimbicidine®, Multineem® and Achok® were evaluated against insect pests of rice during 2007 and 2008 at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong with monocrotophos as check. All the insecticides were found effective in suppressing pests population and consequently increase in yield (33.99 to 43.94 q/ha). In comparison to check (monocrotophos), biopesticides were inferior in reducing pest population. Among the biopesticides, Nimbicidine® @ 3 ml/1 was found most effective followed by Achook at same dose in managing stem borer, whorl maggot and leaf folder. M. anisopliae (Biomagic®) and B. bassiana (Biopower®) were found effective against gundhi bug, damaged grain 4.89% and 5.15% respectively in comparison to untreated control (13.06%).