Management of Two Major Sucking Pests Using Neem Oil Formulation

Abstract

Present investigation was carried out to formulate an effective bio pesticide formulation against two major sucking pests of field crops. Neem oil, surfactant and cassava leaf extract were the three constituents used in the formulations. Major field pests, the papaya mealy bug, Paracoccus marginatus and cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora were selected for the study. A total of six formulations at concentration of 2, 1 and 0.5 were sprayed on mealy bug infested papaya seedlings and aphid infested cowpea plants. The mortality percentage varied according to formulations and 1% formulation F which contained 50 ml neem oil, 30 ml surfactant and 20 ml cassava leaf extract proved to be most effective bio pesticide formulation against these sucking pests. Accordingly, the amount of neem oil required for control of these pests was reduced due to the additive action of other constituents