Field Bio-Efficacy Evaluation of Plant Shield 0.6SL Against Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella) in Pechay

Abstract

A study on the field bio-efficacy evaluation of Plant Shield 0.6SL against Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) in pechay was conducted to identify the best application rate of Plant Shield 0.6SL that can control the population of Diamondback moth in pechay; to determine the effect of Plant Shield 0.6SL to beneficial and non-target arthropods; to evaluate the presence of phytotoxicity of Plant Shield 0.6SL; and to compare the pechay yield between treatments. The treatments replicated four times were as follows: T1 Untreated control; T2 Plant Shield 0.6SL RR at the rate of 50 ml/16L water; T3 Plant Shield 0.6SL ½ RR at the rate of 25 ml/16L water and T4 Plant Shield 0.6SL 1.5 RR at the rate of 75 ml/16L water. The different treatments were evaluated following the procedure in RCBD. The results of the study revealed that the population of Diamondback moth was significantly reduced by the spray application of Treatment 4 Plant Shield 0.6SL 1.5 RR at the rate of 75 ml/16L water, lowered the percentage of damage caused by Diamondback moth and produced the highest number and heaviest weight of marketable yield of pechay plants per plot and computed marketable yield in tons/ha. It can be recommended that Treatment 4 is the most effective against Diamondback moth infesting pechay plants. No adverse effect on beneficial insect due to the application of various rates of Plant Shield 0.6SL was observed. Moreover, no phytotoxicity on pechay plants was encountered due to the spray application of organic insecticide under study.