author(s)
Dr. M Jeer, Dr. VK Choudhary and Dr. Anil Dixit

abstract
Field experiments were carried out during kharif and rabi seasons of 2014-15 to test the efficacy of pre-mix combination, Acephate 50%+ imidacloprid 1.8% SP at four different doses against insect pests of rice along with Acephate 75% WP (750 g.a.i ha^-1), imidacloprid 17.8% SL (25 g.a.i ha^-1) and Chlorpyrifos 50% + cypermethrin 5% EC (375+38 g.a.i ha^-1) at Baronda research farm, ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management Raipur. Acephate 50% + imidacloprid 1.8% SP @ 621.6 g.a.i ha^-1 was proved to be significantly superior over all other treatments with lowest% dead hearts,% white ear,% leaf damage by leaf folder and lowest incidence of brown planthopper and green leafhopper during both seasons of 2014-15. Maximum grain yield (50.14 and 51.02 qha^-1) with highest cost benefit ratio (3.1 and 3.3) observed in Acephate 50% + imidacloprid 1.8% SP @ 621.6 g.a.i ha^-1 respectively during kharif and rabi 2014-15. All the doses of Acephate 50%+ imidacloprid 1.8% SP were found safer to natural enemies in rice ecosystem i.e. Cyrtorhinus lividipennis and spiders. Acephate 50% + imidacloprid 1.8% SP was found to be effective against both borers and sucking pests.