Evaluation of Basil Plant Ocimum Sanctum L. as Attractant to Fruit Flies

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in mango, guava and vegetables farm located at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (U P.) on the attraction of fruit flies with basil (Ocimum sanctum L.) plant extracts. The treatments include: leaf extract (T1), stem extract (T2), inflorescence extract (T3), root extract (T4) and methyl eugenol (control). In mango, maximum numbers of fruit flies were attracted with basil leaf extract (mean 12.67) in 21st standard month (SM); and with inflorescence extract it was nil. In guava, maximum fruit flies were attracted to inflorescence extract (51.67) in 50th SM, and the least with stem extract (0.67- 4th SM). In vegetable farm, maximum fruit flies were attracted with leaf extract (65.67- 12th SM), and the least with the stem extract (5.00 in 3rd SM). In general, the leaf extract was superior in attracting the fruit flies in mango and vegetables, while it was inflorescence extract in guava. Basil being the cheapest source of methyl eugenol can decrease substantially the pest attack. This study observed that seven species were attracted to basil plant parts viz., Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) cucurbitae, B. dorsalis, B. zonata, B. (Zeugodacus) diversa, B. correcta, B. caudata and B. nigrotibialis.