Vol. 8, Issue 9 (2019)

Author(s):
Khaviya Bala, Ananda Ganesa Raja B, Arivudainambi S and Aravinthraju K

Abstract:
Okra Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Moench), an important vegetable crop grown in tropical and sub-tropical parts of world. Where India ranks first in its production. It’s an important component of human diet, as it is rich in many nutrients. Also it is used in medical industry, paper industry, preparation of brown sugar, etc. But reduction in yield of Okra is noticed widely, due its pests and diseases. In which cotton Mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) gaining more importance in agricultural and horticultural crops including okra. For controlling this pest many insecticides are used by farmers, which are also harmful to environment. Hence botanical control of pests is gaining importance now a days. Here for testing bio-efficacy two botanicals namely, Knicker nut (Caesalpinia bonducella) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) leaves of different concentration viz, 1%, 2%, 4%, 8% and 10% in methanol, ethanol and aqueous solvents were tested against Phenacoccus solenopsis for percent mortality and repellency at 12, 24, 48 hours in laboratory condition. In which 10% ethanol extract of O. sanctum at 48 hours shows 100% mortality and the highest percent repellency recorded was in the treatment with 10% ethanol extract of C. bonducella (97.56%) at 48 hours. Hence both the botanicals were showed positive effect on Phenacoccus solenopsis for its control.