Evaluation of B. bassiana against H. armigera & S. litura in Groundnut

The investigation on Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin against Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura in groundnut resulted that fipronil 5 SC (0.005%) was most compatible while DDVP 76 EC and quinalphos 25 EC were harmful at all doses. Among fungicides chlorothalonil 75 WP was highly compatible hexaconazole 5 EC mancozeb 70 WP and carbendazim 50 WP were slightly harmful and propiconazole 25 EC was harmful to the fungus. Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (0.006%) recorded 100% larval mortality after 5 days. For H. armigera B. bassiana + chlorantraniliprole and novaluron 10 EC were next best (97.33% and 96.33% mortality). For S. litura novaluron and B. bassiana + chlorantraniliprole were most effective (97.33% and 97.00% mortality).Among various spray schedules schedule 4 schedule 2 and schedule 3 gave best results at 30 45 and 60 DAS. The highest groundnut pod yield (2083 kg/ha) and net return (₹42527/ha) with the highest ICBR (1:10.68) were recorded in schedule 4 followed by schedule 3.