Field evaluation of Nomuraea rileyi (Farlow) Samson formulations and spray equipments for the management of Tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (F.) on groundnut

摘要

To manage the noxious pest, Spodoptera litura (F.) by eco-friendly approach, Nomuraea rileyi (Farlow) Samson an entomopathogenic fungus has been identified as a potential candidate (Ramegowda, 2005). Nomuraea rileyi performs well under high humid regions like transitional belt of northern Karnataka and coastal Karnataka and in groundnut and soybean. But, it failed to do so under low relative humidity and highertemperature prevailing regions such as northern dry zone of Karnataka (Lingappa and Patil,2002; Ramegowda, 2005 and Wightman and Ranga Rao, 1994). Laboratory studies showed that 4% sunflower oil based tank mix formulation of N. rileyi is very efficient against S. litura and H. armigera (Kulkarni, 1989; Nagaraj et a/., 2006). With these in thebackground, it was thought of extending the geographical utility of this fungus by deploying formulations of N. rileyi and different spray equipments. Afield experiment was undertaken with three formulations of N. rileyi and three spray equipments to know their suitability in groundnut against S. litura at Main Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad during the kharif season of the drought hit year, 2003.