Evaluation of fipronil nanoformulations for effective management of brown plant hopper (Nilaparvata lugens) in rice

In this paper, we report the development, characterization and bioefficacy evaluation of fipronil nanoformulations against brown plant hopper (BPH); Nilaparvata lugens in rice. Nanoformulations were characterized for nanosizing and stability under variable conditions. Bioefficacy of nanoformulations were evaluated under field condition at farms of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during Kharif 2015. At milking stage BPH populations were above economic threshold level; followed by foliar application of fipronil nanoformulations at four doses (viz., 30, 45, 60 and 90 g a.i./ha) along with commercial formulation of fipronil. The mean mortality clearly indicated that all the insecticidal treatments were significantly superior over untreated control where, highest mortalities were observed in nanodispersions followed by monolithic dispersion and commercial formulation of fipronil. Treated plots 7 days after application @ 60 g a.i./ha has shown 93.47%, 86.89% and 80.47% reduction BPH population in nanodispersion, encapsulated monolithic dispersion and commercial formulation treated plots respectively. In comparison to commercial formulation @ 60 g a.i./ha yield has increased by 0.56 t ha^?1 (28.76%) and 0.26 t ha^?1 (14.04%) in nanodispersion and monolithic dispersion.