Evaluation of different plant products against pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) infesting chickpea under certified organic farming system

Abstract

Pest management under organic farming is a challenging task, wherein, ecofriendly approaches against insect pest were accomplished through the use of appropriate strategies which promotes manipulation and alteration of agro-ecosystem. In this view, an experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with JG-11, a chickpea variety sown during rabi of 2021-22 and 2022-23 at certified organic block (certified since 2006), Bio-Resource Farm, Institute of Organic Farming, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. The analysis of pooled data for two seasons revealed that, among various plant products evaluated the plots treated with NSKE @ 5% found superior with significantly least larval population of Helicoverpa armigera (0.72 larvae/m row), with minimum per cent defoliation (12.02%) as well as significantly lower pod damage (11.75%) which was followed by Vitex negundo @ 5%. Similarly, statistically higher chickpea yield was noticed under plots sprayed with NSKE @ 5% with (825.40 kg/ha) with B:C ratio (1.77) during 2021-22, and (788.36 kg/ha) with B:C ratio of (1.69) during 2022-23, compared to untreated check with 161.02 kg/ha and 195.77 kg/ha during 2021-22 and 2022-23, respectively. However, in comparison with inorganic check, organically treated plots documented, relatively higher population of major natural enemies of chickpea ecosystem such as Campoletis chlorideae and coccinellids which was on par with untreated control.