Effect of Newer Pesticide Schedules on the Population of Sucking Pests and Predators on Okra

Abstract

A field study was carried out to determine the efficacy of different treatment schedules against major sucking pests viz., leafhoppers, whitefly and red spider mite and their predators on okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench during the kharif 2008 and 2009. Each treatment comprised three sprays; first spray was given 35 d after seed sowing and thereafter at 15 d intervals, except treatment 9 where seed treatment was done and two sprays were given along with 2nd and 3rd spray as in rest other treatments. The results showed that thiamethoxam 20 g a.i/ha, fipronil 50 g a.i/ha and endosulfan @ 700 g a.i/ha effectively reduced the sucking pests viz., leafhopper, whitefly and red spider mite population during 1st, 2nd, and 3rd sprays over two seasons, respectively. The activity of insect predatory population (coccinellids and spiders) in treatment schedules T1 and T3 comprising of Neemazal/ Econeem @ 2ml/L, emamectin benzoate @ 10 g a.i/ha and endosulfan @ 700 g a.i/ha were found to be at par with untreated check indicating non-hazardous to these predominant natural enemies in okra ecosystem.