Biological Suppression of Lepidopteran Pests of Groundnut Using Plant Origin Insecticides

Field release/spray of various bio-control agents individually and in different combinations at ten days interval starting from 20 DAS for the management of major insect pests of groundnut at Thumpaipatti, Madurai district during August 2011 to November 2011 (31.8 ± 2.20C and 79.8 ± 3.6 RH) indicated that single release of Chrysoperla zastrowi and Trichogramma chilonis + Trichogramma japonicum on 20 and 30 DAS, single spray of Beauveria bassiana on 40 DAS and two sprays of Bacillus thuringiensis on 50 and 60 DAS was effective against leaf miner. Single release of C. zastrowi and T. chilonis + T. japonicum on 20 and 30 DAS, single spray of B. thuringiensis on 40 DAS and two sprays of NPV on 50 and 60 DAS was effective against Spodoptera litura and Helicoverpa armigera. Single release of C. zastrowi and T. chilonis + T. japonicum on 20 and 30 days after sowing, single spray of B. bassiana on 40 days after sowing and two rounds of spray of NPV on 50 and 60 days after sowing recorded the highest yield of 1632 kg wet pods/ha.