Economic evaluation of the insecticides used in the wheat crop for efficient management of wheat aphids
Rashid Ahmed Khan, Muhammed Naveed
Abstract: Wheat aphid is a serious sap-sucking pest of wheat in Pakistan. In case of severe infestation, the crop yield declines significantly due to reduced grain size. A field experiment was planned to determine the economic injury level (EIL) and economic threshold level (ET). The aphid population was maintained at different levels by using insecticides of different efficacies. Finally, an economic analysis of the insecticide application was carried out by assessing the gain threshold (GT) and benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR). The results showed that unchecked aphid infestation caused 23 percent grain weight loss and 26 percent yield loss. The increasing control cost per hectare caused increased EIL and ETL values. The lowest EIL and ETL value of 2.78 and 2.08 aphids per tiller was calculated for λ-cyhalothrin, whereas the highest EIL and ETL values were 8.33 and 6.18 for chlorpyriphos. The highest benefit-to-cost ratio of 13.33 was obtained for λ-cyhalothrin application for the control of wheat aphids. The information regarding EIL, ETL, and BCR may help to devise integrated pest modules and maximize economic benefits.
Keywords: Benefit to Cost Ratio (BCR); Economic Injury Level (EIL); Economic Threshold Level (ETL); insecticide; wheat aphid
Citation: Khan, R. A. & Naveed, M. (2026). Economic evaluation of the insecticides used in the wheat crop for efficient management of wheat aphids. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 32(1), 37–44
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| Date published: 2026-02-25
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