Efficacy of emamectin benzoate (3.4 ME) in the control of caterpillar (Spodoptera litura F) in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L) crop in Tanzania

Abstract

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plant leaf is affected by both abiotic and biotic factors of which caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) is the main pest. The control of caterpillar in tobacco has been through deltamethrin. Following the introduction of new insecticide Sumectin 3.4 ME with active ingredient ‘emamectin benzoate’, initiated a need to study its efficacy on caterpillar and other pests. The research was conducted in Chunya, Tabora and Kahama in Tanzania to test three rates of emamectin benzoate of 4, 8, 10 ml and an absolute control treatment. The emamectin benzoate rates were compared with the control treatment of 10 ml Decis 2.5 EC (Deltamethrin) mixed in 20 L of water. Results showed that emamectin benzoate at the rate of 10 ml in 20 L of water decreased significantly (P<0.001) levels of tobacco caterpillar (S. litura), other pests (aphids, beetles and grasshoppers) and also contributed on increased leaf yields than the control treatment at a similar rate. Therefore, the rate of 10 ml of emamectin benzoate per 20 L of water is recommended to control S. litura and other pests in tobacco plant to both seedbed and field.