Integrated Management of Cotton Flea Beetle, Podagrica puncticollis Weise in Major Cotton Growing-Belt of Northwestern Ethiopia

Eshetu Agegnehu, Bayeh Mulatu, Tebkew Damte and Mulatu Wakgari

Background and Objective: Cotton flea beetle poses a serious menace to cotton cultivation in Northwestern Ethiopia. Comprehensive pest management plays a sustainable role in reducing pest risk and pesticide use in cotton. This study aims to assess the occurrence and severity of cotton flea beetle infestation and evaluate effective management practices for controlling cotton flea beetle in Northwestern Ethiopia to improve cotton production and minimize yield losses. Materials and Methods: A field trial was conducted to evaluate the integrated use of insecticide, sowing date and seed rate against cotton flea beetle on cotton during 2020/21 cropping seasons. The treatments consisted of three levels of insecticide (Cruiser 350 FS, Carbaryl 85% WP, untreated control), sowing date (early, mid and late) and seed rate (15, 20 and 25 kg/ha) laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Two-year data were analyzed using ANOVA (Steel & Torrie) and means were compared using LSD at 5% significance. Results: The significant differences among treatments and the highest incidence (4.1 beetles/plant), leaf injury (47.5 shot-holes/leaf) and total plant damage (56.66%) were recorded from early sown untreated plots plus received low seed rate. On the other hand, the least results of 0.75 beetle, 17.5 shot-holes and 8.33% plant damage were noted in late sown plots with seeds treated with Cruiser plus received high seed rate. Pest infestation and damage levels on cotton plants decreased with the increase in the age of the plants and delayed sowing. Generally, treatment combinations with insecticides exhibited good performance in reducing pest threats with resultant increase boll and seed cotton yields than others. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that integrated use of seeds treated with Cruiser, early sowing time and high seeding rate is the best strategy against this pest and for achieving better cotton yield.

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