Push-pull Strategy with Trap Crops, Neem and Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus for Insecticide Resistance Management in Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) in Cotton

Abstract

Insecticide resistance in Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) is a major threat to cotton production in India. The virus infection was found to increase the susceptibility of H. armigera to the insecticides. But, use of Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV) on a larger scale and on cotton due to leaf alkalinity poses certain practical problems. Hence, studies were carried out to assess the effects of push-pull strategy with trap crops, neem and NPV in cotton for the management of insecticide resistant H. armigera. Field experiments were conducted on cotton (MCU5) with trap crops (okra and pigeonpea) and neem was used to diversify the pests to trap crops whereby the control of these pests was assessed with the application of NPV. The preference of H. armigera was towards okra and pigeonpea as a trap crop compared to cotton. Application of NSKE on cotton diversified the H. armigera towards untreated okra and pigeonpea. Push-pull strategy with the conjunctive use of trap crops, restricted application of NSKE on cotton leaving trap crops and restricted application of NPV on trap crops was highly effective in reducing the incidence of H. armigera and damage to fruiting bodies, boll, locule and inter locule basis over cotton sole crop (untreated check). The percent recovery of NPV infected larvae varied from 37.5-47.5, 32.8-39.2 and 14.2-20.2% on okra, pigeon pea and cotton respectively. The synthetic pyrethroids resistance in field survived H. armigera at the end of the season was reduced from 87.5-93.1% to 76.4-84.3%.

Repellent Effects of Methyl Anthranilate on Western Corn Rootworm Larvae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Soil Bioassays

“…) that elicit opposing behaviors (repellency, deterrence, attraction, arrestance, aggregation) and these cues are often used in conjunction with other control methods as part of an integrated pest management strategy (Cook et al 2007). Examples of tools that have been successfully implemented in push-pull systems include biocontrol agents (Duraimurugan and Regupathy 2005), trap crops (Duraimurugan and Regupathy 2005), botanical compounds (Martel et al 2005), mechanical traps (Pike et al 1987, Zhang et al 1997, and toxins (Zhang et al 1997, Duraimurugan andRegupathy 2005). Such strategies can be tailored for the specific target organism with the goal of using behavioral manipulation to maximize the efficacy of each tool.…”

The Use of Behavioral Manipulation Techniques On Synthetic Insecticides Optimization

“…In addition, push-pull strategies are beginning to be seriously considered as plausible pest control solutions that help to manage insecticide resistance threats. One study assessing the effects of push-pull strategy with trap crops, neem and Nuclear Ployhedrosis Virus (NPV) in Helicoverpa armigera insecticide resistance on cotton, reported that the push-pull strategy was highly effective in reducing the incidence of H. armigera and damage (Duraimurugan & Regupathy 2005).…”

Sustainable pest management for cotton production. A review

“…One should not, however, underestimate the likelihood that these intercrops may also favour infestations of certain pests. This can be an obstacle to the adoption of these practices, even with the use of selective biopesticides on the intercalated crop (Duraimurugan and Regupathy, 2005;Gurr et al, 2004;Mensah and Singleton, 2004).…”