Drone application of insecticides for the management of pink bollworm,pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) in cotton
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21276/AATCCReview.2025.13.02.489
Abstract
Spraying of insecticides in agriculture has been carried out through ground and aerial spraying methods. Taking into cognizance of problems associated with the ground spraying using different kind of equipment is needed which is safer and more efficient method for pesticide application in agricultural practices. The use of advanced technologies such as drones which comes under aerial spraying in agriculture offer potential for facing several challenges. Studies were conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal during rabi,2024 against pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella through drone aerial spray comparision with knapsack sprayer by sequential spraying of insecticides. It revealed that pyridalyl 10% EC @ 1 ml l -1 drone spray was found significantly superior over control (8.75% per cent mean rosette flower) in reduction (65.36%) of the rosette flowers due to pink bollworm larvae. The same insecticide had recorded the lowest green boll damage (9.38%), green boll locule damage (12.81%) with the highest per cent reduction (71.00% and 71.26%) and also recorded the highest seed yield (7.15 kg/ha) and lint yield (2.50 kg/ha) with highest benefit-cost ratio (1.90) during first, second and third sprays, respectively.