Vol. 9, Special Issue 12, Part J (2025)

The materials and methods used in this study are described under the following sections: Efficacy of bio-pesticides against spotted pod borer (Maruca testulalis (Geyer)) on green gram (Vigna radiata L.). The experiment was carried out during the Kharif season of 2022 at Koirengei, Imphal, Manipur, India, using a randomized block design with eight treatments, each replicated three times. Green gram variety Arka Anamika was sown in plots measuring 2 m × 2 m, with a spacing of 30 cm × 10 cm, following the recommended agronomic practices except for plant protection. The experimental site had well-drained, medium-high fertility soil.

The area was prepared with good tilth and divided into three main blocks, each further subdivided into eight subplots of 2 m × 2 m with 30 cm bunds as borders. Treatments were assigned randomly to the subplots.

The study concluded that biopesticides are widely used to manage pest problems in agriculture, though conventional pesticide use has caused issues such as ecosystem contamination, soil and water pollution, pesticide residues in food, pest resurgence, and impacts on non-target organisms. Biopesticides with short residual activity—specifically formulations of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, 5ml/l NSKE, and Karanj oil—can be effectively applied under field conditions to control spotted pod borer (Maruca testulalis (Geyer)).