REKHA, RAKESH SANGWAN, TARUN VERMA AND ANIL JAKHAR
Department of Entomology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Department of Plant Pathology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: vermatarun27@gmail.com)
(Received : 8 September 2025; Accepted : 28 September 2025)
SUMMARY
Chilo partellus is serious pest of sorghum causing heavy loss in grain and fodder yield. An experiment was conducted at research field of CCS HAU, Hisar to manage C. partellus through eco- friendly tactics including inter cropping and bio agents. Eight treatments were used. . In the first and second treatments, sorghum variety (HJ 541) and cowpea variety (CS 88) were intercropped in ratios of 4:2 and 4:1, respectively. The third and fourth treatments involved intercropping sorghum and cluster bean variety (HG 365) at ratios of 4:2 and 4:1. In the fifth treatment, Beauveria bassiana were applied at a rate of 2.5-3 kg/ha at 20 and 35 days after emergence. The sixth treatment included placing Trichogramma chillonis cards on the lower leaf surface of the plot’s central portion at 20 and 35 days after emergence to minimize interference with neighbouring plots. Pearl millet was planted along the border of the sixth treatment to monitor movement. The seventh treatment consisted of applying Bt formulation spray at 20- and 35-days after emergence. The results of this investigation showed that the treatment of Trichogramma chilonis @ 150000/ha resulted in the lowest percentage of dead hearts (7.5) and the lowest percentage of leaf damage (3.3) at 35 DAE followed by Beauveria bassiana treatment (1×108 CFU /g @ 2.5-3.0 kg/ha). Green fodder yield, plant height, and the total number of stalks were all counted at harvest. Maximal plant height (154.5 cm), total number of stalks/plant (13.9), and yield (350.3t/ha) were observed in the Trichogramma chilonis treatment plot @150000/ha. The plot exhibited the lowest levels of stem tunnelling (2.6), stalk damage (4.4), and larval number (0.3). Hence Trichogramma chilonis treatment plot @ 150000/ ha was found to be superior among all treatments followed by Beauveria bassiana treatment (1×108 CFU/g @ 2.5-3.0 kg/ha).
Key words: Helicoverpa armigera, Evaluation, Weather parameters, Genotypes, Population dynamics, Pod damage