1Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University Regional Station, Gurdaspur143521, Punjab, India
2Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana141004, Punjab, India
*Email: harpals_randhawa@pau.edu (corresponding author)
This study evaluated the efficacy of biopesticides viz. Neem Baan (azadirachtin 1% EC) @ 250, 500 and 750 ml, Bt (Delfin WG) @ 1500, 2000 and 2500 g, Beauveria bassiana (Myco-Jaal 10%SC) @ 2000, 2250 and 2500 ml and Dursban (chlorpyriphos 20 EC) @ 2500 ml/ ha against lepidopteran pests of rice. The insecticides evaluated were observed to be significantly superior over biopesticides. Among the biopesticides, azadirachtin @ 750 ml/ ha was significantly superior than other biopesticides; B. bassiana (2500 ml/ ha) and Bt (2500 g/ ha) also significantly reduced the incidence of leaf folder and stem borer, respectively. It was further observed that diversity and evenness index was maximum in plots treated with Bt @ 1500 g/ ha and the least with chlorpyriphos. The cost-benefit ratio was maximum with chlorpyriphos followed by Neem Baan @ 250 and 500 ml/ ha.
Rice, Stem borer, Leaf folder, Azadirachtin, Beauveria, Bt, Chlorpyriphos, Neem Baan, Diversity, Evenness index, Natural enemies, Cost benefit ratio
