Management of <em>Spodoptera litura</em> (Fab.) in Green Gram (<em>Vigna radiata</em> L.) through Entomo-Pathogenic Nematode

Green gram is most important legume crop and richest source of 24% easily digestible protein. The green gram is attacked by number of insect pests but Spodoptera litura is more serious pest. The uses of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) as a biological control agent of insect pests are more effective. EPNs have been found effective for the management of tobacco caterpillar and are used as bio insecticides against a number of lepidopteran pests. The mass multiplication of Steinernema carpocapsae can be done on rice moth (Corcyra cephalonica), greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella), gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) and tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura). Infectivity of entomopathogenic nematode, S. carpocapsae against tobacco caterpillar was studied and observation was recorded after every day up to 10 days with different inoculum levels viz., 10,000, 15,000 and 20,000 IJs/plant of S. carpocapsae. The experimental results revealed that maximum 82.50% mortality of S. litura was observed at inoculum level 20,000 IJs/plant of S. carpocapsae after 9th day of inoculation followed by 75.00% mortality at inoculum level 15,000 IJs/plant. While, minimum 67.50% mortality was recorded at inoculum level 10,000 IJs/plant. Therefore, it was concluded that the mortality of insect larvae increased with an increase in the inoculum levels and period of exposure