Efficacy of Sesame Oil and mustard Oil Formulations against Red Spider Mite of Tea

Abstract

Crude formulations of sesame and mustard oil at 0.5%, 0.75% and 1% concentration with or without the addition of cow urine were assessed against red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae (Nietner) in the laboratory. Efficacy tests on oviposition rate, egg hatchability, mortality of nymph and adult mites proved that sesame oil 1%, with or without the addition of cow urine was found to be effective in reducing the rate oviposition and egg hatchability of mites and was at par with the formulation prepared from commercial neem (1 : 1500). Formulations of sesame oil at the rate of 0.75% and 1% with or without cow urine were found to be highly effective for mortality of nymphs and adults of red spider mite respectively which were at par with the formulation prepared from commercial neem.