~ 1981 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2020; 8(6): 1981-1984 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 www.entomoljournal.com JEZS 2020; 8(6): 1981-1984 © 2020 JEZS Received: 29-08-2020 Accepted: 11-10-2020 Roopika M PG Scholar, Department of Agricultural Entomology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India Srinivasan G Associate professor, Department of Agricultural Entomology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India Shanthi M Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Entomology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India Vanniarajan C Professor and Head, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India Corresponding Author: Roopika M PG Scholar, Department of Agricultural Entomology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India Management strategies for pink stem borer, Sesamia inferens Walker (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) infesting barnyard millet, Echinochloa frumentacea Link using botanicals Roopika M, Srinivasan G, Shanthi M and Vanniarajan C DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/j.ento.2020.v8.i6aa.8112 Abstract Barnyard millet also known as kudhiraivaali is known for its high nutrient content. Barnyard millet is being cultivated mostly as rainfed crop and it is ravaged by several pests. Of which, pink stem borer causes dead heart and white ear symptoms by boring into stem and peduncle region causing heavy economic loss. Hence, the present study was conducted for the management of pink stem borer, Sesamia inferens in barnyard millet with botanicals. The treatments were neem oil 3%, pongamia oil 3%, mahua oil 3%, citrus peel oil 3%, Vitex negundo leaf extract 5%, sweet flag rhizome extract 3% and neem seed kernel extract 5%. The above treatments were applied two times during the year 2020 at Central farm, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai. Among the treatments, neem oil 3% (62.01%) was found to be the most effective followed by citrus peel oil 3% (60.74%), pongamia oil 3% (57.94%), mahua oil 3% (56.87%), Vitex negundo leaf extract 5% (54.72%) and neem seed kernel extract 5% (51.73%). Among all treatments sweet flag rhizome extract (50.22%) was found to be the least effective. With regard to yield, the neem oil 3% recorded the highest yield (7.34 q/ha) over control with the cost benefit ratio of 1:1.74 and sweet flag rhizome extract 3% was the least performing treatment with 11.50% increase in yield over control with the cost benefit ratio of 1:1.45. Keywords: Sesamia inferens, Echinochloa frumentacea, botanicals, dead heart, white ear Introduction Barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) belongs to the family of Poaceae and it is a multi- purpose crop cultivated for both food and fodder [4] . It is a very good source of nutrients like proteins and dietary fibers. The grains are good source of carbohydrate, fiber and minerals like zinc and iron when compared to other major cereals [10] . The nutritional contents of barnyard millet per 100g of grains are 11.6g protein, 74.3g of carbohydrate, 5.8g of fat, 14mg of calcium, 15.2mg of iron, 14.7g of crude fiber, 121mg of phosphorus, 4.4mg of minerals and 300 k.cal of energy [1] . In the account of the grains with high nutrient content, the demand for this crop has been recently increased. Barnyard millet is infested by several insect pests like defoliators, stem borers and sap feeders. Among these, pink stem borer, Sesamia inferens (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) is a serious pest attacking most of the millet crops [3] . In peninsular India, pink stem borer causes more damage throughout the year [11] . Adults lay eggs inside the leaf sheath in clusters. After hatching, the larva bores into the stem and feed inside. At panicle emergence stage, the infestation causes white chaffy panicles (white ear damage) [9] . Arundhati Sasmal (2018) [13] reported the management of pink stem borer in finger millet with seven different treatments including chemical and biological control methods. In this experiment, Cartap hydrochloride 4% GR @ 20 kg/ha applied as soil application at 30 days after sowing performed best against pink stem borer recording 3.2% dead heart, 4.9% white ear and highest incremental yield. Though many studies have been made for the management of pink stem borer in different crops, yet no studies were illustrated regarding their infestation and management in barnyard millet. Hence, the present study has been under taken to identify the suitable botanicals for the management of S. inferens in barnyard millet. Materials and Methods The experiment was conducted in the fields of Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai. The efficacy of botanicals were tested against pink stem borer in barnyard millet.