Comparative Efficacy of Selected Chemicals and Bio-pesticides against Shoot and Fruit Borer, Leucinodes orbonalis (Guenee) on Brinjal, Solanum melongena (L.)

The present study was carried out during the Kharif season of 2024 at the research plot of the Department of Entomology, Central Research Farm (CRF), Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj. The experiment followed a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications and included eight treatments aimed at managing the brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenée). Data were collected on the 3, 7 and 14 days following the application of the treatments. The cumulative mean data revealed that all chemical treatments were significantly more effective than the untreated control in reducing infestation. Among the tested treatments, Chlorantraniliprole recorded the lowest percentage of shoot infestation, followed closely by Emamectin benzoate 5% SG and Spinosad 45% SC. Cypermethrin 25% EC and Beauveria bassiana showed similar levels of efficacy and were statistically at par. Meanwhile, NSKE 5% and Neem oil 2% were the least effective among the treatments but still performed significantly better than the control. In terms of economic analysis, Chlorantraniliprole also provided the highest benefit-cost ratio (B:C Ratio) of 1:8.89, followed by Emamectin benzoate 5% SG (1:7.81) and Spinosad 45% SC (1:7.80). Cypermethrin 25% EC (1:6.49) and Beauveria bassiana (1:5.89) again showed similar performance, while NSKE 5% (1:4.89) and Neem oil 2% (1:4.45) were lower, but still outperformed the control (1:3.86).