Vol. 12, Special Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
Gajendra Singh, Dr. DV Singh, Abhishek Yadav, Dr. Archana Anokhe and Mahendra Pratap Gautam

Abstract:
Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is a popular solanaceous vegetable that is high in nutrients such as vitamins, phenols, and antioxidants. However, it is vulnerable to a variety of insect pests, with the brinjal fruit and shoot borer inflicting up to 40% loss. To address this issue, we assessed the efficiency of various pesticides, including biopesticides and botanical alternatives, against the insect pest. The data obtained concentrated on fruit yields, and the cost-benefit ratio was determined. Among the insecticides examined, Spinosad had the greatest efficacy in suppressing the brinjal fruit and shoot borer, resulting in the largest yield of marketable fruits. The treatments with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) had the lowest yield. Biopesticides are being used. Biopesticides, such as Spinosad, provide an environmentally benign method to pest management by avoiding potential harm to beneficial insects and lowering chemical residues on harvested produce. However, the monetary consequences of utilising such insecticides must be considered. As a result, we evaluated the benefit-cost ratio for each treatment to determine its economic feasibility. The results of our research show that applying Spinosad as a brinjal pesticide treatment can provide efficient pest control against the brinjal fruit and shoot borer, resulting in higher yields of marketable fruits. However, more research is required to thoroughly assess the cost-effectiveness and long-term sustainability of these treatments in brinjal agriculture.