EFFICACY OF BIOPESTICIDES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF POD BORER, ETIELLA ZINCKENELLA (TREITSCHKE) (PYRALIDAE: LEPIDOPTERA) INFESTING SENNA, CASSIA ANGUSTIFOLIA VAHL.

Abstract

Cassia angustifolia Vahl. is an important medicinal plant belonging to the family Leguminaceae. Like other plants, medicinal plants too have to bear the attack of injurious insect pests. Extensive monitoring and development of eco-friendly pest management practices are essential in the production of high quality, pesticide residue free produces. Results of field experiments revealed that among the treatments, foliar application of chlorpyriphos 20 EC (standard check) @ 1.0 L/ha was significantly superior over all other treatments, recording the lowest number of pod borer and the untreated control was significantly inferior, recording maximum number of pod borers per plant. Among the biopesticides tested, neem seed kernel extract 5 per cent showed maximum efficacy with the least number of pod borer per plant, followed by neem oil 3 per cent, Bacillus thuringiensis @ 750g/ha and Beauveria bassiana @ 2 kg/ha, which were statistically on par in their efficacy. Results on the efficacy of biopesticides on pod damage revealed that Bacillus thuringiensis @ 750 g/ha showed promising efficacy with the minimum pod damage at 14 DAT, followed by neem seed kernel extract 5 per cent. Regarding yield, neem seed kernel extract 5 per cent treated plots recorded maximum leaf and pod (dry) yield followed by neem oil 3 per cent and Bacillus thuringiensis @ 750 g/ha. Hence, neem seed kernel extract 5 per cent can be recommended as suitable biopesticide for the management of pod borer, Etiella zinckenella infesting senna, C. angustifolia. Keywords: Cassia angustifolia, Pod borer, Etiella zinckenella, Bio-pesticides, Yield