Chemical active ingredient and pyrethroid mode of action
- Synthetic pyrethroid class: Active ingredient Lambda-cyhalothrin at 5% concentration (IRAC Group 3A).
- Sodium channel modulation: Disrupts voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve axons, preventing normal nerve impulse transmission and producing immediate tremors and knockdown.
- Repellent and anti-feeding action: Emits chemical cues that deter adult moths from ovipositing eggs on treated crops.
- High rain-fastness: Binds strongly to the waxy leaf cuticle, resisting wash-off by rain once the spray deposit dries.
CIBRC approved target crops and insect pests
Approved in Indian agriculture for managing Bollworms, Jassids, and Thrips in cotton; Stem borer and Leaf folder in rice; Shoot and fruit borer in brinjal and tomato; Pod borer in pigeonpea; and Thrips and Pod borers in chilli. Applying at early pest detection knocks down mobile insects rapidly, preventing extensive foliage and boll damage.
Application guidelines, dosage and safety
- Follow CIBRC approved label dosages strictly (typically 150 to 200 ml per acre in 200 liters of water for field crops).
- Apply using a fine hollow cone nozzle to achieve comprehensive canopy wetting.
- Observe the mandatory Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI) printed on the product packaging before harvesting produce.
- Wear personal protective gear and avoid spraying near water bodies, as pyrethroids are highly toxic to fish and aquatic life.
Official source
Check the latest rules, benefits and forms here. KisanPe is an independent platform and is not a government website.
Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage (CIBRC) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is the active chemical ingredient in Karate insecticide?
Karate contains Lambda-cyhalothrin at 5% concentration formulated as an Emulsifiable Concentrate (5% EC).
How does Karate provide crop protection?
It combines rapid contact knockdown with anti-feeding repellent action, preventing adult moths from laying eggs on treated foliage.
Why should Karate never be sprayed near fish ponds?
Synthetic pyrethroids like Lambda-cyhalothrin are extremely toxic to fish and aquatic organisms, requiring strict buffer zones.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
More Crop Protection & Pesticides guides
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