ASSESSMENT OF DIFFERENT CHEMICAL INSECTICIDES AGAINST BUDWORM (Helicoverpa armigera L.) ON TOBACCO (Nicotiana tabaccum L.)

Abstract

The present research study was carried out at Tobacco Research Station, Khan Ghari, Mardan (34.20°N, 72.05°E) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan during 2004 to assess the efficacy of different chemical insecticides against budworm, Helicoverpa armigera L. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum L.). Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco was sown as test crop and six different chemical insecticides viz, Imidachloprid WG70, Thiamethaxan 25WG, Methamedophos 50 SCW, Deltamethrin+Triazophos 350+10EC, Spinosad 240 SC, Lannate 20 EC and un-treated control plot were tested against Helicoverpa armigera associated with tobacco. When the infestation of budworm reached economic threshold level i.e. 10 percent damage on plant leaves, spray material of different treatments were evaluated. Data on mean plants damaged by Helicoverpa were recorded 24h before application of spray and then 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h and 168h after application of first and second spray. The infestation of H. armigera was significantly controlled by application of tracer and methomyl. Highest damage by H. armigera was recorded in confidor and actara treated plots.