Bio-Efficacy of Certain Botanicals and Bio-Pesticides against Tobacco Caterpillar, Spodoptera litura Fab. in Rabi Groundnut

Field trial was conducted in dry land Farm of S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14, to evaluate the efficacy of botanical and microbial insecticides against tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura infesting groundnut on cultivar Kadiri-6. Among the treatments tested NPV (S. litura) @ 250 LE ha^-1 and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) sprays were significantly effective in reducing larval population, leaf damage and resulted in significant increase in haulm yields and cost benefit ratio. This was followed by Nomuraea rileyi 1.5x10¹³ spores mL^-1 and NSKE @ 5.0 percent compared to other treatments neem oil @ 2.0 mlL^-1 and Beauveria bassiana 1.5x10¹³ spores mL^-1 respectively.