BOTANICALS AFFECT THE INCIDENCE OF LEPIDOPTERAN INSECT PESTS ON SUMMER CABBAGE

The effect of some commonly used botanicals
applied against major lepidopteran insect pests of summer cabbage was
investigated under the present study. The different treatments under the
present study were T1 (Mahogany seed kernel extract); T2
(Tobacco leaf extract); T3 (Garlic extract); T4 (Neem
leaf extract); T5 (Neem seed kernel extract); T6 (Neem
oil) and T7 (untreated control). All the treatments were applied @
3ml/L of water at seven days interval. The lowest mean incidence of semi-looper
(5.47 larvae/5 plants), cabbage caterpillar (9.17 larvae/5 plants) and
diamondback moth (3.30 larvae/5 plants) were found in T6 that
provided the highest incidence reduction over control (65.09%, 49.97%, and
66.57% respectively); whereas the highest mean incidence of semi-looper (15.67
larvae/5 plants), cabbage caterpillar (18.33 larvae/5 plants) and diamondback
moth (9.87 larvae/5 plants) was found in T7. T6 provided
the highest (69.22%) head infestation reduction and the highest (58.15%)
increase of yield over control. So, botanicals could judiciously be used for
better production of summer cabbage that would be safe for farmers as well as
the environment.