Field evaluation of insecticides for the management of shoot and fruit borer in brinjal

Brinjal (Solanum melongena), a vital vegetable crop in South Asia, is severely affected by the shoot and fruit borer Leucinodes orbonalis, leading to significant yield and quality losses. This study evaluated the efficacy of three insecticides—chlorantraniliprole (18.5% SC), chlorpyriphos (20% EC), and fenvalerate (20% EC)—at different doses against L. orbonalis under field conditions. Chlorantraniliprole at 80 g a.i./ha consistently recorded the lowest shoot (1.30%) and fruit (5.27%) infestation after two sprays, significantly outperforming other treatments. Chlorpyriphos at 400 g a.i./ha showed moderate effectiveness, while fenvalerate was the least effective, particularly at lower doses. The untreated control exhibited the highest infestation and lowest yield (9.21 kg), while chlorantraniliprole @ 80 g a.i./ha yielded 11.75 kg. Results confirm chlorantraniliprole as a superior option for managing brinjal shoot and fruit borer, aligning with findings from earlier studies. Adoption of such targeted insecticides can significantly reduce pest damage and enhance crop productivity.