Management of safflower aphid through botanical insecticides

 

Management of safflower aphid (Uroleucon compositae Theobald) through botanical insecticides

G.S.Bharaj and A.R.Sawant

 Abstract

Safflower aphid is a serious pest of safflower in Madhya Pradesh, particularly of late sown crops, causing serious damage to the crop during January-February every year. Chemical insecticides are very effective against aphid but since insecticides cause serious environmental pollution bio-products in different forms and concentrations for aphid control are considered beneficial.

In the present study 4 bio-products of neem (Azadirachta indica) neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%, neem oil 1%, neem cake 5%, and neem ark (commercial formulation) were compared against dimethoate 0.05% in regards to their efficacy in controlling safflower aphid. These treatments were studied for a 3-year period from 1996 to 1998 using a randomized block design with 3 replications and safflower variety JSF-1.

The lowest aphid population was observed in treatment with Dimethoate 0.05% (28 aphids) followed by neem oil 1% (72 aphids) and neem ark (97 aphids). No significant differences among these treatments in regards to average aphid number were found, but the treatments significantly declined aphid number compared to the control (346 aphids). This indicates that even phyto (botanical) insecticides could control aphid though not as efficiently as chemical insecticides.