Evaluation of New Alternatives of Neonicotinoid Insecticides Against Sucking Pests of Okra

AbstractA field experiment was conducted during 2023-24 at RHREC, Dharwad, Karnataka to study the bio-efficacy and effectiveness of new alternatives of neonocotinoid insecticide molecules. Among the treatments, Flupyridifurone 200 SL @ 2.5 ml/l and Flonicamid 50 WG @ 0.4g/l proved highly effective in managing leaf hopper population by registering lowest mean number of leaf hoppers per 3 leaves (1.71 and 2.53, respectively) on 10 days after treatment imposition with highest percent suppression in population over control (84.29 and 76.75, respectively). With respect to whiteflies, among the treatments, Flupyridifurone 200 SL @ 2.5 ml/l and Flonicamid 50 WG @ 0.4g/l proved highly effective in managing whiteflies population by registering lowest mean number of whiteflies per 3 leaves (1.53 and 1.74, respectively) on 10 days after treatment imposition with highest reduction in population in terms of percent over control (83.45 and 81.24, respectively). Further because of lower pest load in Flupyridifurone 200 SL @ 2.5 ml/l and Flonicamid 50 WG @ 0.4 g/l treatment, which led to lesser damage with higher mean economic yield (11.08 t/ha and 10.76 t/ha respectively). Overall, chemical management by Flupyridifurone 200 SL @ 2.5 ml/l also Flonicamid 50 WG @0.4 g/l were most effective against leafhopper and whiteflies management with highest cost: benefit ratio of 2.60 and 2.90 respectively. The outcomes suggested that the present neonicotinoid insecticide were effective alternatives over conventional insecticides in formulating improved pest management strategy against sucking pests in okra.