Archives of Current Research International

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop, but its production is severely affected by insect pests such as fruit borer, leaf miners, and thrips. Overuse of conventional insecticides has led to resistance and negative impacts on beneficial insects. Therefore, evaluation of new insecticide combinations with different modes of action is essential for effective and sustainable pest management. Field experiments were conducted for two consecutive years at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India to evaluate the three doses of cyantraniliprole 20%+lufenuron 20% w/v SC (400 SC) and four standard checks for their bio-efficacy against fruit borer, leaf miner and thrips on tomato and safety to natural enemies’ population in tomato ecosystem. The experiment was laid in Randomized Block Design (RBD) in three replications with eight treatments. Two sprayings were done at ETL of the pests using manually operated knapsack sprayer fitted with hollow cone nozzle in the early morning hours. The observation on the pest population was recorded before application as well as on 1,3,7 and 10 days after spraying. Observations on the incidence of coccinellid predators were taken on before spray and 10^th day after each application. Yield was recorded separately for each treatment during both the seasons. The results of the present investigations revealed that cyantraniliprole 20%+lufenuron 20% w/v SC (400 SC) @30+30 g a.i/ha was found to be the most effective treatment for management of insect-pests on tomato followed by the immediate lower dose (@25+25 g a.i/ha) of the same chemical. The yield increase was commensurated with the performance of various treatments in the trial. The maximum yield was recorded from the plots treated with cyantraniliprole 20%+lufenuron 20% w/v SC (400 SC) @ 30+30 g a.i./ha during both the seasons. This insecticide did not adversely affect the coccinellid populations as well as the crop health.