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Received: 25th March, 2026; Accepted: 10th May, 2026

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy of bio-pesticides, botanical and chemical treatments for the management of rice sucking insect pests field experiments were conducted during kharif 2023 and 2025 crop seasons. The study was laid out in a randomized block design using a susceptible high-yielding variety (PR121), with observations recorded on hopper population, spider abundance and grain yield. Treatments included entomopathogenic fungi (Lecanicillium saksenae, Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana), a botanical insecticide (azadirachtin), and a chemical insecticide (pymetrozine), along with an untreated control. Pest populations were monitored before spraying and at 7 and 15 days after each application. Results indicated that all treatments significantly reduced hopper populations compared to the control in both seasons. Chess @ 300 g ha-1 consistently recorded the highest reduction in pest density and the maximum grain yield. Among biological treatments, L. saksenae (2023) and B. bassiana (2025) showed moderate but significant efficacy, while azadirachtin provided intermediate control. Biological and botanical treatments maintained relatively stable spider populations, whereas chemical treatment caused a noticeable decline in predator abundance. Grain yield was positively correlated with effective pest suppression, with treated plots producing significantly higher yields than the untreated control. The study demonstrates that although chemical control provides rapid and reliable suppression of sucking pests, bio-pesticides and botanical offer environmentally safer alternatives with better conservation of natural enemies. Integration of bio-pesticides and selective insecticides in an integrated pest management (IPM) framework is recommended for sustainable and eco-friendly rice production.