Helicoverpa armigera H. is a polyphagous notorious pest of a number of economic crops including tomato. In tomato, it can reduce its yield as high as 70% due to fruit boring. Although some predators and parasitoids have been recorded in the field for their natural control, their manipulation to a successful crop management is still awaited. To overcome this pest, insecticides play a significant role in its effective crop management program globally. Tomato is an absolutely perishable commodity and needs the specified period required between the application, of conventional pesticides of organophosphate group, and consumption which can hardly be afforded. Therefore, nine insecticides from the new chemistries, which were relatively safer to human and environment, i.e. Coragen (chlorantraniliprole), steward (indoxacarb), Belt (flubendamide), Delegate (spintoram), Volium Flexy (chlorantraniliprole + thiamethaxim), Fipronil (grafter), Proclaim (emamectin benzoate), Pirate (chlofenapyr) and Lufenuron (lufenuron), were tested on tomato crop heavily infested by this pest in the farmers field in districts Lodhran and Bahawalpur (Pakistan) in the month of April 2014. The mortality was compared after 4, 7 and 10 days and treatments were compared with control as well with one another. The average maximum % mortality, i.e. 89.36 and 85.09 of the pest, was observed with Volium Flexy, and Delegate also worked well even after 7 and 10 days. Similarly, the results on the basis of damaged fruits and percent loss of yield pointed out that Chlorantraniliprole, Flubendiamide and Indoxacarb had resulted better as compared with others, although the difference was statistically non significant. These new chemistry pesticides are suggested to be used at tomato crop against Helicoverpa armigera which are best fitted in the IPM program for the control of the pest.
Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous pest, causing significant yield loss to field crops including tomato crop [
Since alternate crop protection measures have very limited success stories, farmers have to depend upon the use of pesticides to overcome the pest quickly and effectively. However, the haphazard use of pesticides has resulted in numerous environmental and health problems [
The present study was carried out to determine the efficacy of different insecticides against the larval population density of Helicoverpa armigera on tomato in Farmer’s field at two different locations Lodhran and Bahawalpur Districts (Punjab: Pakistan) during 2014. Bahawalpur is at 29.3955 latitude and 71.68 longitude [
Nine insecticides, viz., Coragen (chlorantraniliprole), FMC United Pvt. Ltd., manufactured by Dupont, USA @ 100 ml + 15 ml surfactant/acre, Steward (indoxacarb) FMC United Pvt. Ltd., @ 175 ml/acre, Belt (flubendiamide) Bayer Crop sciences @ 50 ml/acre, Delegate (spintoram) Ali Akbar enterprises Pvt. Ltd. Manufactured by Dow agro sciences, USA @ 60 g/acre, Volium Flexy (chlorantraniliprole + thiamethaxim) Syngenta (Pakistan) Ltd. @ 80 ml/acre, Grafter (fipronil) Agri Gold Pvt. Ltd manufactured by Vifam biotechnology Group, China @ 480 ml/acre, Proclaim (emamectin benzoate) Syngenta (Pakistan) Ltd. @ 200 ml/acre, Pirate (chlofenapyr) Swat Agro chemicals. Manufactured by BASF, USA, @ 320 ml/acre and Lufenuron (lufenuron) Agri Gold Pvt. Ltd. manufactured by Jiangsu Flag chemicals, China @ 800 ml/acre. These are the dozes recommended by the manufacturer or distributer firms. All these insecticides are commonly available in the market and their trade names have been included in the article so that common men and less educated farmers can easily recognize it with its brand name which is usually advertised by the distributer firms through electronic and print media as well as wall other advertising tools. For spraying 100 litres of tubewell/hand pump water was used to make a spray able material in one acre (43,560 sq ft measures 1 acre, 1 hectare is equivalent to 2.47 acres). It may be added that usual ground water in this area contains 4 - 6 ppm total dissolved salts (TDS) and an alkaline pH up to 8.7. The hand operated knapsack sprayer was used for spraying. All the insecticides were tried on a relatively ignored field of tomato crop having maximum population of Helicoverpa armigera, so that effect of the tested pesticides could be judged fairly. The maximum average temperature for the period under study (10 days) was recorded to be 33.38˚C and 34.85˚C for Lodhran and Bahawalpur respectively. The minimum average temperature for the same period was 21.63˚C and 20.48˚C for Lodhran and Bahawalpur respectively. Average relative humidity RH for morning and evening was 68.9, 23.4 and 70.5, 32.8 for Lodhran and Bahawalpur respectively. There was no rainfall during this period on both sites.
The criteria of selection of pesticides were that it should be new chemistry, is relatively safer to mamalia, safer to the environment and claims the mortality of H. armigera. The data on living larvae was recorded before spray and then after 4, 7 and 10 days post treatment. For the purpose of data collection, method of on sito count was adopted. The number of live larvae was noted on randomly selected 15 plants from each experimentalplot number of damaged fruits as well as total fruits were also noted. The yield losses were compared on qualitative bases, the fruit bored by H. armigera larva (caterpillar) was rendered as damaged because it has almost zero market value. It not only gets destroyed soon due to attack of saprophytic fungi but it also serves as the source of contamination and invasion of further fungal infection for healthy one packed in the cartoon or collected in the heap. The mortality of both the sites was aggregated and averaged for computing commutative average mortality of the pest. Then percent loss in yield has also been quantified through simple mathematical calculation percent of damaged fruits/total fruits, i.e.
% damaged fruits = (Damaged fruits/Total fruits) × 100.
All the treatments were compared with control and one another to assess the performance of the treatment in uncontrolled field condition. The data were finally subjected to statistical analysis using Statistix version 8.1 and means were compared by using Tukey’s HSD.
The data on the effectiveness of various insecticides sprayed to overcome the Helicoverpa armigera revealed a highly significant difference among treatments in district Lodhran during 2014 (F = 472.14; df = 9, 18; P < 0.01;
The data on the % mortality of Helicoverpa armigera 7 days after sprayrevealed a highly significant difference among treatments in district Lodhran during 2014 (F = 435.83; df = 9, 18; P < 0.01;
Insecticides | Dose/100 liter of water | AV. % mortality of helicoverpa on tomato after | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trade name | Common name | 4 days Mean ± SE | 7 days Mean ± SE | 10 days Mean ± SE | |
Coragen | Chlorantraniliprole | 100 ml + 15 g surfactant | 70.00 ± 0.57b | 83.33 ± 0.66ab | 51.92 ± 1.23bc |
Steward 150 EC | Indoxacarb | 175 ml | 74.33 ± 0.29b | 76.70 ± 1.15c | 45.67 ± 1.56c |
Belt 39.4 | Flubendiamide | 50 ml | 72.67 ± 0.62b | 80.00 ± 0.50bc | 49.00 ± 0.87bc |
Delegate 25 EC | Spintoram | 60 g | 85.33 ± 0.81a | 86.67 ± 0.71a | 62.67 ± 0.56a |
Volium Flexy 300 EC | Thiamethaxim + chlorantraniliprole | 80 ml | 90.00 ± 0.89a | 89.33 ± 0.31a | 55.00 ± 1.35ab |
Fipronil | Fipronil | 480 ml | 52.33 ± 0.35d | 53.00 ± 0.22e | 23.00 ± 0.51d |
Emamectin 1.9 EC | Emamectin benzoate | 200 ml | 61.67 ± 0.54c | 79.33 ± 0.76bc | 49.67 ± 1.47bc |
Chlorofenapyr | Pirate | 320 ml | 70.50 ± 0.34b | 61.67 ± 0.82d | 29.00 ± 0.10d |
Lufenuron 5 EC | Lufenuron | 800 ml | 58.33 ± 0.92c | 58.33 ± 0.64de | 27.00 ± 0.59d |
Control | 3.85 ± 0.26e | 5.33 ± 0.19f | 4.33 ± 0.27e | ||
Tukey’s HSD @ 5% | 5.60 | 6.09 | 9.05 | ||
F-value | 472.14 | 435.83 | 102.36 |
Means sharing similar letters are not significantly different by Tukey’s Test at P = 0.05; HSD = Honestly Significant Difference; Value * = Significant at P < 0.05; ** = Significant at P < 0.01.
The data on the % mortality of Helicoverpa armigera 10 days after sprayrevealed a highly significant difference among treatments in district Lodhran during 2014 (F = 102.36; df = 9, 18; P < 0.01;
The data on the effectiveness of various insecticides to overcome the Helicoverpa armigera revealed a highly significant difference (F = 358.05; df = 9, 18; P < 0.01;
The data on the effectiveness of various insecticides to overcome the H. armigera revealed a highly significant difference (P < 0.01;
Insecticides | Dose/100 liter of water | AV. % mortality of h. on tomato after | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trade name | Common name | 4 days Mean ± SE | 7 days Mean ± SE | 10 days Mean ± SE | |
Coragen | Chlorantraniliprole | 100 ml + 15 g surfactant | 72.07 ± 0.99bc | 81.33 ± 0.66a | 48.63 ± 1.01bc |
Steward 150 EC | Indoxacarb | 175 ml | 75.69 ± 0.49b | 74.60 ± 1.15d | 43.23 ± 0.76c |
Belt 39.4 | Flubendiamide | 50 ml | 72.37 ± 1.10bc | 78.10 ± 0.50cd | 46.38 ± 0.87bc |
Delegate 25 EC | Spintoram | 60 g | 87.03 ± 1/43a | 84.65 ± 0/71ab | 60.20 ± 0.56a |
Volium Flexy 300 EC | Thiamethaxim + chlorantraniliprole | 80 ml | 89.67 ± 0.56a | 87.39 ± 0.31a | 52.33 ± 0.65b |
Fipronil | Fipronil | 480 ml | 56.57 ± 2.21d | 51.08 ± 0.22f | 20.33 ± 0.51d |
Emamectin 1.9 EC | Emamectin benzoate | 200 ml | 58.61 ± 1.45d | 77.33 ± 0.76cd | 47.00 ± 0.78bc |
Chlorfenapyr | Pirate | 320 ml | 68.68 ± 1.71c | 59.66 ± 0.82e | 26.33 ± 0.10d |
Lufenuron 5 EC | Lufenuron | 800 ml | 55.05 ± 1.03d | 56.30 ± 0.64ef | 24.33 ± 0.58d |
Control | 4.31 ± 0.10e | 5.00 ± 0.36g | 4.67 ± 0.18e | ||
Tukey’s HSD @ 5% | 6.41 | 5.90 | 6.58 | ||
F-value | 358.05 | 447.55 | 179.52 |
Means sharing similar letters are not significantly different by Tukey’s Test at P = 0.05; HSD = Honestly Significant Difference; Value * = Significant at P < 0.05. ** = Significant at P < 0.01.
The data on the effectiveness of various insecticides to overcome the H. armigera revealed a highly significant difference (P < 0.01;
The data on the effectiveness of various insecticides to overcome the H. armigera revealed a highly significant difference (P < 0.01;
The data in the table revealed a highly significant difference (F = 444.15; df = 9, 18; P < 0.01;
There was significant difference among treatments (P value 0.0017) on the bases of losses in fruit of tomato crop. The average number of the damaged fruit of tomato fruits in each treatment after 10 DAS is reflected as under in descending order. Anyhow, total loss in yield has also been indicated against each treatment in the next column.
The average percent yield loss has been provided against each pesticide correspondingly. It is evident from the results that control has maximum average population larvae 6.67 which is significantly different from Indaxacarb, flubendiamide and chlorantraniliprole having 1.0, 1.0 and 0.67 respectively (
Insecticides | Dose/100 liter of water | AV. % mortality of h. on tomato after | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trade name | Common name | 4 days Mean ± SE | 7 days Mean ± SE | 10 days Mean ± SE | |
Coragen | Chlorantraniliprole | 100 ml + 15 g surfactant | 71.07 ± 0.21bc | 82.23 ± 1.99bc | 50.57 ± 0.72bc |
Steward 150 EC | Indoxacarb | 175 ml | 75.53 ± 0.11b | 75.65 ± 3.45d | 44.23 ± 0.68c |
Belt 39.4 | Flubendiamide | 50 ml | 72.11 ± 0.85bc | 79.3 ± 1.49cd | 47.31 ± 0.97bc |
Delegate 25 EC | Spintoram | 60 g | 85.09 ± 1.04a | 85.61 ± 1.27ab | 61.07 ± 0.36a |
Volium Flexy 300 EC | Thiamethaxim + chlorantraniliprole | 80 ml | 89.36 ± 0.22a | 88.39 ± 0.93a | 53.37 ± 0.88b |
Fipronil | Fipronil | 480 ml | 54.24 ± 1.18e | 52.07 ± 0.67f | 21.38 ± 0.44d |
Emamectin 1.9 EC | Emamectin benzoate | 200 ml | 60.62 ± 0.91d | 78.34 ± 2.28cd | 48.03 ± 1.00bc |
Chlorofenapyr | Pirate | 320 ml | 69.69 ± 0.80c | 60.66 ± 2.46e | 27.32 ± 0.16d |
Lufenuron 5 EC | Lufenuron | 800 ml | 56.02 ± 0.11de | 57.32 ± 1.93ef | 25.31 ± 0.56d |
Control | 4.09 ± 0.10f | 5.01 ± 0.83 | 4.50 ± 0.21e | ||
Tukey HSD @ 5% | 5.06 | 5.98 | 6.43 | ||
F-value | 574.61 | 444.15 | 195.14 |
Means sharing similar letters are not significantly different by Tukey HSD Test at P = 0.05; HSD = Honestly Significant Difference; Value * = Significant at P < 0.05; ** = Significant at P < 0.01.
Treatment No. | Description of treatments | Mean damaged fruits on 15 plants/treatment | Mean % loss of yield /treatment | Oral MT mg/ml per Kg BW | Dermal MT mg/ml per Kg BW |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | Control | 6.67a | 23.41a | 0 | 0 |
8 | Chlorfenapyre | 6.0b | 18.01b | 560 | >2000 |
9 | Lufenuron | 5.33ab | 19.80ab | >2000 | >2000 |
5 | Thiamethaxim + chlorantraniliprole | 4.33abc | 19.21ab | >5000 + >5000 | >2000 + >5000 |
7 | Emamectin benzoate | 2.67abc | 13.16ab | >2950 | >2000 |
6 | Fipronil | 2.33abc | 9.98ab | 500 | 2000 |
4 | Spintoram | 1.33bc | 8.15ab | >5000 | >5000 |
2 | Indoxacarb | 1.00bc | 4.86b | >1867 | >5000 |
3 | Flubendiamide | 1.00bc | 4.63b | >2000 | >4000 |
1 | Chlorantraniliprole | 0.67c | 3.42b | >5000 | >5000 |
MT = Mammalian Toxicity; BW = Body weight ([
The perusal of the results reveal that that after four days of the application, Thiamethaxim + chlorantraniliprole and Spintoram have performed better and these products have maintained their position up till 10 days after application of pesticides. It shows that these products have relatively better persistence and contact mortality of the pest. Whereas, the results on the basis of damaged fruits and percent loss of yield point out that Chlorantraniliprole, Flubendiamide and Indoxacarbhave resulted better as compared to others although the difference is statistically non significant, that these products are relatively fast in action and may have caused the mortality of pest earlier therefore the damage stopped but after four days other products proved even more effective then these one but since there is a non significant difference so the result of above mentioned five pesticides as well as flubemdiamide are almost at par. The results of flubendiamide against the pest are confirmation of results shared by [
A limited information is available regarding the efficacy of new chemistry on tomato anyhow, the results of this study are in conformity with [
It can be concluded from this study that Thiamethaxim + chlorantraniliprole, Spintoram, Chlorantraniliprole, Flubendiamide and Indoxacarb are effective and relatively safer choices for control of tomato fruit borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner). If the crop is infested and is to be managed, these pesticides can be recommended at proper doses. But if the crop has pest population below economic threshold and further protection from pest is needed, Lufenuron and emamectin can also be used. It is strongly recommended that using conventional pesticides from CHC and OP group should be discouraged for management of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), at least on vegetables. The study will serve a step towards modern agriculture, like organic farming [
The authors are thankful to Malik Muhammad Fiaz, Director General, PWQCP, Punjab for his continuous encouragement and demand for research work. Thanks are also due to trainee students Mr. Umer Mushtaq, Mr. Muhammad Zubair Ch., Mr. Mubasher Ahmad and Mr. Malik Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, students department of Agri Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faissalabad for their help in collection of data and literature during their training over here.