INSECTICIDAL MANAGEMENT OF CICADA, TIBICEN SPP. (HOMOPTERA : CICADIDAE) IN GRAPE VINEYARDS IN NORTHERN PLAINS OF AFGHANISTAN

To investigate the comparative efficacy of different insecticides including, Thiodan 35EC (Endosulfan), Confidor SL20 (Imidacloprid), Regent SC5 (Fipronil) and Thimet 10G (Phorate) for the management of Cicada, Tibicen spp. and to study their effects on the yield and yield components of grapevine, a research study was carried out in the Northern Plains of Afghanistan at two different sites, in Bagram (elevation 1497m ASL) and Qarabagh (elevation 1508m ASL) districts during March - August 2006. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The statistical analysis showed that Confidor SL20 and Thiodan 35EC ranked first in reducing Cicada nymphs population and increasing the yield and yield components followed by Thimet 10G. Regent SC5 was found the least effective among all the insecticides (P 0.05). Same trend of effectiveness (P 0.05) of insecticides was observed in both sites (Bagram and Qarabagh).