EFFICACY OF THIAMETHOXAM 30FS SEED TREATMENT AGAINST SHOOT FLY ATHERIGONA NAQVII STEYSKAL IN SPRING MAIZE.

Thiamethoxam 30FS @ 6, 8, 10 and 12 ml/ kg along with recommended imidacloprid 600FS @ 6 ml/ kg seed was evaluated as seed treatment for the management of shoot fly Atherigona naqvii Steyskal in spring maize. Pretreated seeds were also evaluated. Seed treatments improved plant growth but did not influence the egg laying by A. naqvii. Deadheart incidence in the seed treatment with thiamethoxam 30FS @10.0 ml/ kg seed (4.21 %) was observed to be on par with its lower @ 8 ml/ kg seed (5.14 %) and higher dose @ 12 ml/ kg seed (3.62 %), and imidacloprid (2.96 %). Imidacloprid treatment was significantly better than thiamethoxam 30FS @ 8.0 ml. Grain yield in thiamethoxam 30FS @ 10.0 ml (60.69 q/ ha) was on par with its higher dose @ 12 ml (61.29 q/ ha) and imidacloprid (62.11 q/ ha). Thus, thiamethoxam 30FS @ 10.0 ml/ kg seed is appropriate to manage shoot fly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]