Bio-efficacy and effect on natural enemies of sulfoxaflor 12% SC W/V against aphids in cotton ecosystem

Abstract

Cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae) is one of the important pest of cotton, have been causing severe damage and yield loses. Several insecticides developed resistance against Aphis gossypii, hence, there is a need to identify the newer insecticide having unique mode of action to control aphids in cotton ecosystem. The present study aimed to evaluate the bio-efficacy, phytotoxicity and effect on natural enemies of Sulfoxaflor 12% SC w/v against aphids in cotton crop. The results revealed that, lowest population of aphids at seven days after treatment was recorded in the highest dosage of Sulfoxaflor 12% SC @ 250 ml/ha which recorded 0.87 aphids per leaf followed by next dosage of Sulfoxaflor 12% SC @ 225 ml/ha. Similarly, the lowest population of aphids was recorded in the highest dosage of Sulfoxaflor 12% SC @ 250 ml/ha (0.55 aphids per leaf), next treatment was Sulfoxaflor 12% SC @ 225 ml/ha (2.56 per leaf) seven days after second spray. Significantly highest yield of 20.46 q/ha was recorded with Sulfoxaflor 12% SC @ 250 ml/ha which was on par with Sulfoxaflor 12% SC @ 225 ml/ha (19.76 q/ha). The test chemical Sulfoxaflor 12% SC did not affect the natural enemies like coccinellids and spiders indicated that, Sulfoxaflor 12% SC were safe to natural enemies. Sulfoxaflor 12% SC at all dosages did not record any phytotoxic symptoms on cotton plants.