Comparative evaluation of insecticides against fruit borer, Erias vittella on okra duringKharif season

A field trial was conducted at the Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya research farm in Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India, to evaluate the effectiveness of pesticides against jassid and fruit borer.Except for Neem, the remaining five of the insecticides displayed remarkable efficacy in suppressing fruit borer infestation and reducing damage. An organic insecticide, Agniastra @ 30 ml/L, proved highly effective in significantly suppressing fruit borer populations, resulting in a marketable okra yield of 11.84 t/ha. The use of chemical insecticides imidacloprid (30 g a.i./ha) and acephate (600 g a.i./ha) successfully reduced fruit damage and increased yields to 11.72 t/ha. Neem @ 3 g a.i./ha was the least effective, while Spinosad @ 90 g a.i./ha and Emamectin Benzoate @ 30 g a.i./ha demonstrated moderate effectiveness. Agniastra @ 30 ml/L is a promising option for controlling fruit borer damage due to its health benefits and its potential to produce chemical-free export-quality produce. Moreover, Agniastra @ 30 ml/L offers a practical and sustainable solution for safer, chemical-free export-oriented okra production.