Evaluation of BIPM Module on tomato fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera) larval population
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Author:D.VIJAYALAKSHMI
p-ISSN:0024-9602, e-ISSN:2582-5321, Vol:94, Issue:jan-jun
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.100649
Abstract
Tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera
Hub. is a polyphagous pest which unto 60
per cent yield loss in tomato (Manjunath
et al., 1985). Synthetic insecticides are often
used to suppress H. armigera population,
because of their wide availability and potential
for quick intervention. Even though insecticides
are effective the demerits like resistance,
residue, pest resurgence, non-target effect and
environmental pollution restrict their use. As
an alternative to insecticides, bioagents are
ecofriendly and thus reduce the above mentioned
problems. Isolated effects have been made to
check H. armigera infestation by using one
of the organic farming methods like biocontrol
agents. Organic farming produces healthy plants
that are better able to resist insect predation.
Organic farmer’s primary strategy in controlling
pest is prevention through good plant nutrition
and management. Biocontrol agents are very
important component of organic farming. The
important bioagents are: the egg parasitoid,
Trichogramma sp. (Mani and Krishnamoorthy,
1983; Divakar, Pawar, 1987 and Kakar et al.,
1990), predator, Rhynochorus (Ambrose and
Claver, 1999a), pathogens Bt (Krishna et al.,
12981) and HaNPV (Natarajan et al., 1991).
Even though T. chilonis is highly effective against H. armigera in cotton, but not in tomato.
But T. pretiosum is highly effective against
H. armigera in tomato. To evallute the potential
of T. pretiosum incombination with other
biocontrol agents this study was carried out.
Key words : Helicoverpa armigera, Tomato