Abstract

                                Two field experiments were conducted to test the efficacy of different dosesof thiamethoxam against okra sucking pests viz., Aphids, Aphis gossypii;leaf hopper, Amrasca biguttela biguttela, and whitefly, Bemisia tabaci andtheir predators in okra agroecosystem. Thiamethoxam 25% WG 25 g a.i./ha(84.71-91.73, 94.12 - 98.11% reduction over control) was highly effectiveagainst aphid, whitefly and leaf hoppers which was on par with 50 g a.i./ha (64.28 - 76.90, 83.70 – 87.92% reduction over control) and 75 g a.i./ha (73.48 - 81.26 and 85.26-92.42% reduction over control) after first andsecond spray, respectively. This was further followed by standard checkthiamethoxam 25% WG @ 25 g a.i./ha (Willoxam®). The plots treated withThiamethoxam 25% WG @ 25, 50 and 75 g a.i. /ha recorded the maximumpopulation of Coccinella spp recorded (4.22-5.10 and 4.33-6.21 nos.) afterfirst and second spray. Thiamethoxam 25% WG @ 75 g a.i./ha treated plotrecorded the maximum yield (8100 kg/ha-1) followed by thiamethoxam25%WG @ 25 and 50 g a.i./ha (7345 and 7690.5 kg/ha-1).

Key words : Thiamethoxam; Bioefficacy; Sucking pests; Natural enemies; Phytotoxicity