Influence of natural enemies on suppression of insect pests and yield of okra

Abstract

The present experiment on influence of natural enemies on suppression of insect pests and yield of okra was conducted at Latif Farm, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam from July to October 2011. The results of study revealed that reduction of jassid, whitelfy, thrip mealy bug per leaf and spotted bollworm per plant were recorded before and after release of natural enemies. The overall mean population of jassid (7.61 ± 0.97), whitefly (5.89 ± 0.85), thrip (5.22 ± 0.80) and mealybug (1.85 ± 0.48) per leaf while spotted bollworm (0.76 ± 0.30) per plant was recorded before release of natural enemies. The results further showed that in control (T2) plot more population of pests was recorded population than treated plot (T1). The data showed significant effect of releasing natural enemies on population reduction of pests, biological control also increased the yield and income of okra almost five times compared with untreated control.