Field Evaluation of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin against Helicoverpa armigera (Hiibner) Infecting Chickpea

Abstract

Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin was tested under field conditions to control Helicoverpa annigera (Hiibner) infesting chickpea for two crop seasons and was found very effective. The concentration of fungal spores in spray fluid had definite negative correlation with the pest incidence. At a concentration of 2.68 × 10⁷ spores/ml, the average pod damage was 6.8 per cent and yield of 2377 kg/ha. Untreated control recorded 16.3 per cent pod damage with an yield level of 1844 kg/ha.