Abstract

Red pumpkin beetle Aulacophora foveicollis is a serious pest of cucurbitaceous vegetables. It feeds on the leaves of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus), Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula) Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata), Bottlegourd (Langeneria siceraria) etc. Ethanol extract and aqueous extract of Drek (Melia azedarach) seeds was tested against this pest on Cucumber in Punjab. Ethanol extract 1% and aqueous extract 3% were found effective in managing this pest. These were found to be at par with commercial formulations of Neem (Azadirachta indica) viz. Econeem and Nimbecidine in the field trials in managing the insect. In another trial ethanol extract 4ml/l was found to be at par with Econeem against red pumpkin beetle on Cucumber, Ridgegourd and Bottlegourd. As seeds of Melia azedarach are found in considerable quantities, the study has a great scope for promotion of seeds of Melia azedarach as biopesticide.

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