Chlorpyrifos Root Dip Treatment Effect on Population of Singhara Beetle, Galerucella birmanica Jacoby, Natural Enemies and Yield of Water Chestnut

Abstract

Leaf beetle commonly called Singhara beetle, Galerucella birmanica, is the main insect pest in the water chestnut crop. In this experiment, we studied the control efficacy of Chlorpyrifos seedling root dip against Singhara beetle and its effect on the density of natural enemy population and yield of water chestnut under the field condition during 2021. The results revealed that seedling root dip with Chlorpyrifos @0.05% (RAMBAN^®) effectively controls the Singhara beetle, where the minimum number of all the life stages was recorded on root dip-treated plants, and duration of root dip has no significant effect on Singhara beetle incidence. Seedling root dip has no adverse effect on natural enemy populations such as spiders and water striders. Further, the highest yield was recorded from 6 h of root dip treatment. Hence, the seedling root dip of water chestnut protects the crop against early stage infestation by Singhara beetle, thereby reducing the significant yield loss.