Inundative Release of <i>Trichogramma Chilonis</i> for Biological Control of Pink Bollworm in Cotton

Pink Bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) is a serious pests of cotton throughout the world including Pakistan that causes huge quantitative and qualitative losses. Therefore, effectiveness of egg parasitoid (Trichogramma chilonis) was evaluated for the management of pink bollworm in cotton. The experiment was carried out at the experimental fields of Nuclear Institute of Agriculture, Tandojam Two experimental plots were sown with cotton variety NIA-Noori as T. chilonis were released in one plot at the density of two cards on 1/4 acre, whereas other plot was treated as control without any card. The results revealed that a significant effect of the release of T. chilonis was recorded on the infestation reduction of pink bollworm on cotton flowers and bolls as the significantly highest infestation was recorded in control treatment on flowers and bolls with percent infestation of 10.67 % and 18.91 %, respectively whereas almost same infestation (1.18 %) was recorded on cotton buds in both treatments. Therefore, it can be concluded that T. chilonis is an effective bio-control agent and its periodic releases should be recommended as a sustainable strategy for the management of pink bollworm in cotton.