Effects of different synthetic and botanical pesticides against red pumpkin beetle under field conditions

Abstract

To study the effect of different synthetic chemicals (Lambda-cyhalothrin and Bestox) and botanicals (Neem extract and Parthenium extract) pesticides against the Red pumpkin beetle (Aulacophora foveicollis) three varieties of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) (Local, Super green and Ambika) were grown. The research trail was conducted at the new Developmental Research Farm (NDRF) of The University of Agriculture Peshawar during 2012. Two weeks after the first spray minimum damage was found in the Lambda-cyhalothrin (24.8%) and Bestox (26.7%) treated plots. Maximum percent damage 51.5% was found in the control plots. After the second spray damage of the Red Pumpkin Beetle reduced to 8.2% and 10.7% in the Lambda-cyhalothrin and Bestox treated plots respectively and the maximum damage were found in the control plot that was 70.8%. No significant effect of botanical pesticides was observed.