Evaluation of varieties and spacing against chiku moth Nephopteryx eugraphella (Ragonot) in sapota and their eco-friendly management

Abstract

The study on assessment of varieties and spacing against chiku moth, Nephopteryx eugraphella (Ragonot) along with safer management tactics in sapota was carried out at Fruit Research Station, NAU, Gandevi during 2019-20. The average infestation in winter due to chiku moth under normal and high density plantations showed significantly higher damage in Kalipatti (13.25%) followed by Cricket ball (9.00%). However, the damage was comparatively low in PKM-3 (4.57%) and PKM-1 (4.74%). During summer significantly highest incidence was noted in Kalipatti (14.31%) followed by Cricket ball (11.39%) and DHS-1 (11.21%), while the lower infestation was noted in PKM-1 (6.46%) and PKM-3 (6.99%). The average infestation was found to be higher in high density plantation (7.93 and 10.46%) than normal spacing (6.51 and 8.72%) during winter and summer seasons, respectively. Higher damage was noticed in summer than winter among all the varieties. Among evaluation trial of different biopesticides and botanicals after tourk spray, azadirachtin 10000 ppm @ 2 ml L–1 and Bt @ 2 g L–1 showed lower bud and flower damage 6.88 and 7.36 per cent and estimated reduction of 63.53 and 60.93 per cent, respectively over control followed by azadirachtin @ 1 ml L–1 (8.58%) and B. bassiana @ 4 g L–1 (8.76%) in damage and reduction up to 54.47 and 53.53 per cent, respectively over control.