SCREENING OF DIFFERENT NICOTIANA TABACUM CULTIVARS AND EFFICACY OF BIFENTHRIN AGAINST MAJOR INSECT PESTS OF FCV TOBACCO

Current study was conducted at research area of Department of Entomology, Agriculture University, Peshawar, Khyber Pukthunkhwa during spring 2013. The purpose of study was to investigate the comparative resistance of tobacco cultivars and efficacy of Bifenthrin at various concentrations (0.08%, 0.125%, 0.166%, and 0.208% and control) against major insect pests of tobacco. The concentrations of insecticide differed significantly in term of controlling the cutworm, budworm and aphids infestation. The 0.166% and 0.08% concentration of Bifenthrin found most effective in controlling the cutworm and budworm infestation (1.2 and 8.2 percent, respectively). For checking the aphid population, the 0.208% concentration of Bifenthrin remained most suitable. The lowest infestation (29.1) of said insects was noticed on cultivar PVH- 2310. Cultivars behaved differently for the studied traits but not for insecticidal concentrations. For nicotine contents the response of cultivars was non- significant. Results regarding the percent budworm damage revealed that PVH2310 was the most resistant cultivar (7.7%) and 0.08% concentration of Bifenthrin showed most effective control (8.2%) seven days after the application of spray (5.0%).