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.