Bio- efficacy and Economics of Diatomaceous Earth against Gram Pod Borer [Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)] in Chickpea with Combination of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Neem Oil

An experiment was conducted during 2021-22 to study the effect of Diatomaceous earth and biopesticides against gram pod borer [Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)] in chickpea at Central Research Farm (CRF), Department of Entomology, SHUATS, Prayagraj during rabi season with seven treatments i.e., Diatomaceous earth (T1), Neem oil 3% (T2), Beauveria bassiana 1x108 CFU/ml (T3), Metarhizium anisopliae1x108 CFU/ml (T4), Diatomaceous earth+neem oil 3% (T5), Diatomaceous earth+ B.bassiana 1x108 CFU/ml (T6), Diatomaceous earth+ M. anisopliae1x108 CFU/ml (T7) and untreated control (T8) was evaluated against chickpea pod borer (H.armigera). Results revealed that, Among the different treatments, the highest per cent population reduction of chickpea pod borer was recorded in Diatomaceous earth+neem oil 3% (74%) followed by Diatomaceous earth+ B.bassiana1x108CFU/ml (73%), Diatomaceous earth+ M.anisopliae 1x108CFU/ml (72%). It is followed by Diatomaceous earth (68%) and neem oil 3% (42%), B.bassiana 1x108CFU/ml (40%) and M. anisopliae 1x108CFU/ml (36%) was the least effective among all treatments. While, the highest yield 23.2q/ha was obtained from the treatment Diatomaceous earth+neem oil 3% as well as B:C ratio 1:4.1. It was followed by Diatomaceous earth+ B.bassiana1x108CFU/ml (1:3.8), Diatomaceous earth+ M.anisopliae1x108CFU/ml (1:3.7), Diatomaceous earth (1:3.5), neem oil 3% (1:2.4), B.bassiana1x108CFU/ml (1:2.3), M. anisopliae 1x108CFU/ml (1:2.1), as compared to Control (1:0.9).