Thrips (Megalurothrips usitatus Bagnall) Infestation in Mung Bean: Integrated Control with Chemical and Neem-based Insecticides

Abstract

This study aimed to manage thrips (Megalurothrips usitatus Bagnall) infestation in mung bean fields and evaluate the efficacy of different chemical insecticides and neem oil. The experiment, conducted at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh from March to May 2020, employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with ten treatments, including Decis 5EC, Ripcord 10EC, Marshal 20EC, Sevin 85SP, Dursban 20EC, Neem oil, Talstar 2WP, Actara 25WG, Confidor 70WG, and an untreated control. Talstar 2WP proved to be the most effective treatment, achieving the lowest thrips population (1.25 plant⁻¹) and the highest percent reduction (93.26 %) in thrips infestation over control treatment. Talstar 2WP also produced the maximum number of flowers (16.67 plant⁻¹), pods (34.27 plot⁻¹), seeds (885.3 plant-5), seed weight (36.19 g), and the highest mung bean yield (2.05 kg/plot) compared to rest other treatments. On the other hand, Confidor 70WG showed 2nd most promising results across all parameters, while neem oil was comparatively less effective. The findings suggest that Talstar 2WP is the most effective insecticide for managing thrips infestation in mung bean, offering improved growth and yield.