Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

FIELD EVALUATION OF OCAL BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS ISOLATES IN MANAGEMENT OF HELICOVERPA ARRNIGERA IN CHICKPEA

Veena Khanna, H.K. Cheema, Poonam Sharma and B.S. Kooner

Abstract

Field efficacy of three native Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) isolates (BtC-2, Bt C-2 and Bt C-9) and one standard Bt strain (HD-1) viz-a-viz commercial Bt preparation (Halt-5 WP) and recommended insecticides (Thiodan 35EC) was studied for two years (2003-04 and 2004-05). Local Bt isolate Bt C-5 showed the lowest larval popultaion in both the years. Halt-5 WP was on par with I3T C-5. Halt-5 WP C-5 showed significantly low pod damage (18.85 and 18.05%, respectively) as compared to other Bt isolates and control. However, recommended insecticide Thiodan 35 EC showed least mean pod damage (14.3%). Significantly higher yield was observed with BT C-5 and Halt-5 WP than other Bt treatments and control in both the years of testing. Their yields were on par with those of Thiodan 35 EC. Amongst the Bt isolates, BT C-5 was the superior most.