The impact of several insecticides against the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fab. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on cowpea

Year 2024, Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 209 - 218

Vivek Lahutiya , Dipesh Kumar Mehata , Akshita Singh Bishnu Yadav

https://doi.org/10.53663/turjfas.1427706

Abstract

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), a widely cultivated grain legume in Nepal and a member of the Fabaceae family, faces significant production challenges due to the legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata). This pest is a major threat, limiting both the yield and productivity of cowpea crops. The research was laid out in Randomised Completely Block Design with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments comprise chlorantraniripole 18.5% SC, emamectin benzoate 5% SG, spinotoram 11.7% SC, dimethoate 30% EC, azadiractin 0.07 % EC and BT+ Saccharopolyspora spinosa and control. Chlorantraniliprole demonstrated the highest effectiveness, reducing larval populations to just 0.16 after the fourth application, while achieving the maximum fruit yield of 13 t/ha. Emamectin and spinetoram also performed well, both decreasing larval counts to below 1.0 and producing comparable yields of 12.90 t/ha and 12.89 t/ha, respectively. In contrast, biological treatments, such as Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki, exhibited moderate success in pest control, resulting in a lower yield of 10.19 t/ha. Azadirachtin and the untreated control plots experienced the highest infestation rates, leading to significantly lower yields of 8.04 t/ha and 4.70 t/ha, respectively. Chlorantraniliprole also proved superior in reducing fruit damage, limiting it to just 1.55%, compared to the high damage rate of 42.04% observed in the untreated control. These findings highlight the strong efficacy of chemical insecticides, especially chlorantraniliprole, in controlling Maruca vitrata infestations and enhancing cowpea productivity. Future studies should focus on integrating biological agents with chemical treatments to minimize environmental impacts and prevent resistance, while maintaining high yields and effective pest control.

Keywords

Biopesticides, botanical pesticides, cowpea, legumes pod borer

Ethical Statement

Not applicable

Supporting Institution

The authors did not receive any funding during and after the completion of the study

References

• Aktar, S., Uddin, M., & Ahmed, K. (2020). Bioefficacy of certain novel insecticides and some bioinsecticides for managing bean pod borer, Maruca Vitrata Geyer. Journal of Bangladesh Agricultural University, 18(0), 1. https://doi.org/10.5455/jbau.96967
• Anusha, C., Balikai, R. A., & Patil, R. H. (2014). Management of cowpea pests through newer and conventional insecticides. International Journal of Agricultural and Statistical Sciences, 10(1), 157–160.
• Aryal, L. N., Regmi, R., Lohani, S., & Bhusal, Y. (2021). Efficacy of commercial insecticides for cowpea pod borer (Maruca vitrata F.) management in Pokhara, Nepal. Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4(1), 165–175. https://doi.org/10.3126/janr.v4i1.33250
• Ashigar, M. A., & Umar, K. M. (2016). Annals of experimental biology biology of Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a serous pest of cowpea and other legume crops : A review. Annals of Experimental Biology, 4(2), 33–37.
• Ba, N. M., Huesing, J. E., Dabiré-Binso, C. L., Tamò, M., Pittendrigh, B. R., & Murdock, L. L. (2019). The legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), an important insect pest of cowpea: a review emphasizing West Africa. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 39(2), 93–106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-019-00024-7
• Dannon, E. A., Tamò, M., van Huis, A., & Dicke, M. (2012). Assessing non-target effects and host feeding of the exotic parasitoid Apanteles taragamae, a potential biological control agent of the cowpea pod borer Maruca vitrata. BioControl, 57(3), 415–425. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-011-9415-1
• Dunn, L., Latty, T., Van Ogtrop, F. F., & Tan, D. K. Y. (2023). Cambodian rice farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding insect pest management and pesticide use. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2023.2178804
• Ekesi, S. (1999). Insecticide resistance in field populations of the legume pod-borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), on cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.), Walp in Nigeria. International Journal of Pest Management, 45(1), 57–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/096708799228058
• Indiati, S. W., Hapsari, R. T., Prayogo, Y., Sholihin, Sundari, T., & Mejaya, M. J. (2021). Resistance level of mung bean genotypes to pod borer Maruca testulalis Geyer. Legume Research, 44(5), 602–607. https://doi.org/10.18805/LR-590
• Kendra, K. V. (2020). Ecofriendly Pest Management Approach in Pulse Crops. July. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.21497.08807
• Kumar, D. (2005). Production Technology for Cowpea Not to Be Issued. 003.
• Owade, J. O., Abong’, G., Okoth, M., & Mwang’ombe, A. W. (2020). A review of the contribution of cowpea leaves to food and nutrition security in East Africa. Food Science and Nutrition, 8(1), 36–47. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.1337
• Pandit, T. R., & Dwivedi, S. A. (2021). A study on biology and management of spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Geyer) in legumes. Biological Forum-An International Journal, 13(2), 220.
• Pant, C., Regmi, R., Bhusal, S., Yadav, S., Tiwari, S., Wagle, P., & Bhandari, M. (2021). Efficacy of commercial insecticide for the management of cowpea pod borer (Maruca vitrata) on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) under field condition in Chitwan, Nepal. Food & Agribusiness Management, 2(2), 92–95. https://doi.org/10.26480/fabm.02.2021.92.95
• Patel, S., & Yadav, S. K. (2017). Short communication two parasitoid associated with legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata F.) on pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L . Millsp.) at Pantnagar. SKUAST Journal of Research, 19(2), 261–264.
• Periasamy, M., Schafleitner, R., Muthukalingan, K., & Ramasamy, S. (2015). Phylogeographical structure in mitochondrial DNA of legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata) population in tropical Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. PLoS ONE, 10(4), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0124057
• Preethi, S., Ragumoorthi, K. N., Vinothkumar, B., Balasubramani, V., & Kumaresan, D. (2022). Development and validation of integrated pest management modules against spotted pod borer Maruca vitrata Fabricius on garden bean Lablab purpureus var. typicus (L.). Journal of Applied and Natural Science, 14(4), 1308–1319. https://doi.org/10.31018/jans.v14i4.3905
• Priyadarshini, G., Reddy, N., & Reddy, J. (2013). Bioefficacy of selective insecticides against lepidopteran pod borers in pigeonpea. Indian Journal of Plant Protection, 41(1), 6–10.
• Rahman, M. M., Dash, C. K., Rahman, M. M., Hasan, M. M., Hannan, A., Dev, S., & Mondal, M. F. (2022). Farmers’ perceptions and knowledge of country bean (Lablab purpureus l.) insect pests, and diseases, and their management practices, in Bangladesh. Sustainability, 14(20), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013591
• Sharma, H. C., & Franzmann, B. A. (2000). Biology of the legume pod borer, Maruca vjtrata (fabricius) and its damage to pigeonpea and adzuki bean. Insect Science and Its Application, 20(2), 99–108. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1742758400018737
• Singh, B. K., Pandey, R., Singh, A. K., Mishra, M. K., Singh, S. K., & Gupta, R. P. (2020). Field efficacy of new generation insecticides for the management of spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Fab.) in cowpea. International Journal of Plant Protection, 13(1), 36–39. https://doi.org/10.15740/has/ijpp/13.1/36-39
• Srinivasan, R., Tamò, M., & Malini, P. (2021). Emergence of Maruca vitrata as a major pest of food legumes and evolution of management practices in Asia and Africa. Annual Review of Entomology, 66, 141–161. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-021220-084539
• Sujayanand, G. K., Datta, D., & Chandra, A. (2023). Assessing pigeonpea genotypes for resistance against Maruca vitrata fabricius and its sustainable management through biorationals. Legume Research- An International Journal, August. https://doi.org/10.18805/LR-5132
• Swathi, K., Ramu, P. S., Dhurua, S., & Suresh, M. (2019). Field evaluation of newer insecticides against spotted pod borer [Maruca vitrata (Geyer)], on blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. International Research Journal of Pure and Applied Chemistry, 18(2), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.9734/irjpac/2019/v18i230083
• Toper Kaygin, A., & Tasdeler, C. (2019). Geographic distribution, lifecycle and damage of Cydalima perspectalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae, Spilomelinae) in Turkey. Journal of Bartin Faculty of Forestry, 21(3), 833–847. https://doi.org/10.24011/barofd.578294
• Yadav, N. K., & Singh, P. S. (2014). Bio-efficacy of chemical Insecticides against spotted pod borer, Maruca testulalis (Geyer) on Cowpea. International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology, 7(1), 187. https://doi.org/10.5958/j.2230-732x.7.1.025
• Yule, S., & Srinivasan, R. (2013). Evaluation of bio-Insecticides against legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in laboratory and field conditions in Thailand. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology, 16(4), 357–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2013.05.001
• Yule, S., & Srinivasan, R. (2014). Combining bio-Insecticides with chemical Insecticides to manage legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata) on yard-long bean in Thailand. International Journal of Pest Management, 60(1), 67–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2014.900707