Comparative evaluation of pesticides and biorationals against key pests of greenhouse chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora) is grown for year round flower production in greenhouses. Greenhouse experiments were conducted in Centre for Protected Cultivation Technology (CPCT), IARI, New Delhi for two seasons during 2009 -2010 to study the efficacy of individual and integrated treatments for the management of key insect pests of chrysanthemum. Results revealed that in all the tested insecticides, the integrated treatments were most effective in comparison to the individual interventions. Combined treatment of phosphamidon and cypermethrin was the most effective for the key pests, viz. aphid and caterpillar. Efficacy of caterpillar management by spinosad increased after three days of application (94.44%) in comparison to first two days (13.20 and 30.33%, respectively) of application and it persisted up to 10 days of application which was not observed in controlling aphid. In chrysanthemum aphid control, the effectiveness of the treatment of agricultural spray oil and azadirachtin was decreased immediately after two 2 days of spraying, whereas combined treatment of both showed very effective result. Agricultural spray oil and azadirachtin are more acceptable than conventional insecticides as they are known to be active against pest populations but are relatively more environment-friendly to beneficial organisms.