Field evaluation of new insecticides for controlling pod fly, Melanagromyza obtusa in pigeonpea

摘要

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) is one of the major pulse crops grown in India. More than 250 insect pests have been recorded to attack pigeonpea (Upadhyay et al., 1998). However, the most damaging pests of this crop are pod borers, which attack on the reproductive parts of the plant. Amongst the pod borers, pod fly, Melanagromyza obtusa (Malloch) is responsible for major damage to the pods during winter and spring seasons (Akhauri et al., 1994; Shanower et al., 1998). Generally pod fly oviposits in thetender pods and both the larval and pupal stages pass inside the pods. After hatching, the larvae mine in to the pods and feed on the soft seeds thus making the yield unfit for human consumption (Lai and Yadava, 1994). Even though, wide range of insecticides has been tested against pod fly, the information on the effectiveness of new insecticides is very scanty. In this view, present study was carried out for the evaluation of new insecticides for controlling pod fly in pigeonpea that will be helpful for the farmers in reaping good yields.