Vol. 8, Issue 6 (2019)

Author(s):
Mawtham MM, Gailce Leo Justin C, Sheeba Joyce Roseleen S and Kumanan K

Abstract:
The study was conducted to assess the oviposition deterrent and repellent activity of bio-inputs and insecticides against melon fruit fly (B. cucurbitae) in laboratory condition (28±2⁰C, 60% RH). The Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) practices followed by the organic farmers are playing pivotal role in reducing the pest problem in crop protection leading to minimal use of toxic chemicals. The effect of different bio-inputs (ITK concoction) and insecticides were superior over the control in reducing the fruit fly oviposition deterrent and increase repellent activity. The insecticides spinosad 45 SC and chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC recorded 80.28 and 73.23 per cent in no choice test, 74.13 and 70.68 per cent in free choice test of oviposition deterrent, respectively. Among the bio-inputs agniastram (tobacco mixture) 5 % recorded 49.29 and 55.17 per cent of oviposition deterrent and had 84.94 and 73.31 per cent of repellent activity in free choice and no choice test, respectively followed by karpurakaraisal (camphor extract) 3%, neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%, fish acid (mennamilam) with oviposition deterrency (38.02, 30.98 and 23.94 %) in no choice test and free choice test (46.55, 34.48 and 29.31 %) and repellent activity (69.72, 35.09 and 46.53 %) in free choice test and no choice test (62.70, 47.92 and 41.34 %), respectively. Ten leaf extract (pathilaikasayam) 5% showed minimum ovipositional deterrency and repellent activity compared to other bio-inputs. The present study concluded that application of agniastram and karpurakaraisal were effective next to insecticides for the management of fruit fly on bitter gourd.