Evaluation of azadirachtin based formulations, chemical treatment schedules, and transplanting dates in managing insect pests and leaf curl incidence in chilli

The present experiments were conducted under field conditions during the years 2018-19 and 2019-20 (Rabi season) at the entomology experimental field, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P). Various insecticides treatment schedules and transplanting dates were evaluated during both years, using split-plot design with 2 main plots (dates of transplanting-D1 and D2) and 8 sub-plots (Treatments schedules) against the incidence of insect pests namely whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci; thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis; and jassid, Amrasca biguttula biguttula. Populations of insect pests observed under different insecticide treatment schedules and transplanting dates, at different intervals after spraying, were subjected to the analysis of variance at a 5% level of significance. Mean percentage of fruit damaged by fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera) and fruit yield also estimated on different dates of transplanting and treatment schedules. The outcome of the experiment, pooled analysis revealed that treatment schedule T7 (3 sprays of imidacloprid 17.8% SL @ 125 ml/ha spray) was found to be significantly effective among all the treatment schedule as it recorded the lowest whiteflies, thrips, and jassids population, minimum fruit damage and highest fruit yield, followed by T3 (2 sprays NSKE 5% - 1 spray of imidacloprid 17.8% SL @ 125 ml/ha) and T4 (2 sprays of Neem oil 5% - 1 spray of imidacloprid 17.8% SL @ 125 ml/ha) in D1 & D2. Date of transplanting (D1) was observed best effective date for reducing minimal infestation of the pests.