Sorghum Shoot Fly Control, 1972-73

The research was conducted under the field conditions during Kharif (1972) and Summer (1973) seasons, at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Experiments were laid out in a randomized block design with 8 treatments and 4 replications. Plots consisted of 5 rows, each 3m in length, spaced 75 cm apart from each other. Total experimental area was 0.036 ha. Sorghum seeds of hybrid CSH-1 were hand sown in furrows, 15 cm apart from each other, 3 seeds/hill. The seedlings were thinned 7 days after germination to 1 healthy plant/hill. The Kharif crop was sown on Aug 9'72 and the summer crop was sown on Mar 10'73. Plots were irrigated to maintain sufficient moisture. Granules were applied in furrows before sowing and seed treatment with carbofuran 50WP w,as done just before sowing. Relative efficacy of systemic insecticides was evaluated by counting dead hearts in the main shoots and tillers up to 28 days after germination. The shoot f ly infestation was severe. The Kharif crop was harvested on Nov 10'72 and the Summer crop on June 1 '73. In summer due to high temperature, grain formation is adversely affected at New Delhi, therefore, grain yield was not recorded for this trial.