IPM strategy in bittergourd using new generation insectisides and botanicals

Abstract

The investigation on the “IPM strategy in bittergourd using new generation insecticides and botanicals” were carried out in the field as well as in the laboratory of Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during October 2003 to February 2004. The present investigation revealed that profenofos gave high mortality to epilachna beetles, NSKE and spinosad were safe to honey bees and spinosad alone was found to be safe to predatory coccinellids under laboratory conditions. Under field conditions ethofenprox was found as the most effective insecticide against leafhoppers, profenofos against epilachna beetle and all chemical treatments and NSKE against leaf miner infestation. Spinosad, citronella oil, NSKE, fipronil and deltafos recorded lower pumpkin caterpillar infestation. NSKE, fipronil, deltafos and spinosad consistently effective in reducing the gall fly infestation. Citronella oil, NSKE and deltafos had registered the lower fruit fly infestation. The fruit borer infestation was less in the plots treated with spinosad, citronella oil and woodash. All botanicals and woodash harboured spider predators and spinosad was comparatively safe to spiders. Citronella oil and NSKE recorded higher coccinellid predators