Modified behaviour in nucleopolyhedro virus infected field bean pod borer, Adisura atkinsoni and its impact on assessing the field efficacy of NPV.

ABSTRACT

When nucleopolyhedro virus of A. atkinsoni was applied at 250 LE/ha, there was no significant difference between the viruses treated and control plots with regard to the total number of live larvae feeding outside the pod. However, due to changes in behaviour in NPV infected A. atkinsoni by way of coming out of the pod, there was a significant difference when counts were taken with regard to total number of larvae found feeding inside the pod. Both endosulfan at (0.07%) and virus (125 LE/ha) in combination with endosulfan (0.035%) significantly reduced the larval population of A. atkinsoni and Sphaenarches anisodactylus. There was no significant difference between the virus and control plots with regard to percentage of pod damage. However, when the yield was assessed based on the seed weight, there was significant difference.