Critical Review on Bioefficacy of Insecticides against Pod Borer Complex in Pigeonpea

INTRODUCTION Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) is an important pulse crop in the semi-arid tropics and subtropical farming systems, providing high quality vegetable protein, animal feed and firewood (Mittal and Ujagir, 2005). The crop yields are generally hampered by many pests, which are problematic over years (Kumar and Nath, 2002). Major constraint in the production of pigeonpea is the damage caused by insect pests with avoidable losses extending up to 78 per cent in India (Lateef and Reed, 1983). Nearly 300 species of insects are known to infest pigeonpea crop at its various growth stages in India (Lal and Singh, 1998). Pod borers caused 60 to 90 per cent loss in the grain yield under favourable conditions and damage of seed by pod fly ranged from 14.3 to 46.6 per cent (Lal et al., 1992). Helicoverpa armigera and Melanagromyza obtusa cause adequate economic damage leading to very low yield levels of 500 to 800 kg ha as against the potential yield of 1800 to 2000 kg ha (Lal et al., 1997). An yield loss of 60 to 80 per cent was recorded due to the podfly, Melanagromyza obtusa (Durairaj, 2006).