Bio-efficacy of new generation insecticides against thrips in chilli under open field conditions

Abstract:

Thrips damage in chilli has trended upward across north Indian hill states over the last five years, coinciding with a warming climate that extends the pest’s active season. This research evaluated the bio-efficacy of four new-generation insecticides spinetoram 12 SC, fipronil 5 SC, cyantraniliprole 10 OD, and emamectin benzoate 5 SG against thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) on chilli (cv. Solan Bharpur) under open field conditions at Solan, Himachal Pradesh, during kharif 2023. Two spray rounds were given at 15-day intervals starting when thrips population crossed the economic threshold of 5 per three leaves. Spinetoram recorded the lowest thrips population at 3, 7, and 14 days after each spray (1.4–3.8 per 3 leaves), followed by cyantraniliprole (1.9–4.7). Both reduced thrips counts by over 85% relative to the untreated control. Fruit yield was highest in spinetoram plots (18.6 t ha⁻¹), 43.1% above the control. These results support spinetoram and cyantraniliprole as effective rotation partners in thrips management programmes for hill-region chilli.