The shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis G.) is one of the major insect pests of the brinjal crop. Presently, farmers use synthetic insecticides to control this pest, which can cause health and environmental problems. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine the performance of various botanical pesticides (neem, eucalyptus, karanj, and mahogany oils at 1%) against L. orbonalis under field conditions during 2023, after the 1st and 2nd sprays at 1, 3, and 7 days post-application. The results showed that all botanical pesticides were effective in reducing the shoot and fruit damage percentages after the 1st and 2nd sprays at all intervals compared to the control, with neem oil being the most effective in reducing the shoot and fruit damage percentages of L. orbonalis. The lowest shoot and fruit damage percentages were observed after the 1st and 2nd sprays at the 7-day interval with neem oil: shoot damage percentages were 12.5% and 9.8%, and fruit damage percentages were 22.2% and 12.4%, respectively. Similarly, the highest yield was obtained (13,013 kg/ha) when the crop was treated with neem oil, followed by eucalyptus, karanj, and mahogany oils at 1% with yields of 11,307, 10,499, and 9,947 kg/ha, respectively, whereas the minimum yield of 5,603 kg/ha of fruits was obtained in the control. Therefore, based on the present results, all botanical pesticides are highly recommended, with Neem oil being the most effective against the shoot and fruit borer.
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