Exploring Momardica Charantia Leaves as Biopesticide Against Mealy Bugs: A Comparative Study

Abstract

A pesticide is a substance used for controlling pests that damage the crops. Azadirachta indica (Neem) is widely studied and commercially used as a biopesticide against various pests. The present study aims to explore Momardica charantia (Bitter gourd) leaves as a biopesticide and compare its effectiveness with the Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaves and chemical pesticide (Admire). The test plant used for study is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis infected with Red Hibiscus mealy bug. Soil parameters (pH, conductivity, organic matter content, available potassium and available phosphorus) and plant characteristics (height, leaves count, flowering and chlorophyll content) of all test plants under study were estimated and compared. The soil parameter like pH showed no changes in control and treated plants while organic matter, available potassium and available phosphorus comparatively showed slight increase in concentration in plants treated with all pesticides. The plant characteristics viz. height, leaf count and branching showed improvement in growth after treatment with pesticides.All the pesticides under study were capable to kill mealy bugs in one month. Even though the biopesticidal property of Momardicacharantia leaves was found to be less as compared to Azadirachta indica leaves and chemical pesticide (Admire), it can be used effectively to control mealy bugs infecting Hibiscus plant.