Efficacy of different botanical extracts on Thrips palmi in cotton

Abstract

The melon thrips, Thrips palmi (Karny) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is one of the major early season cotton pests. Efficacy of NSKE 5%, Neem oil 1%, Andrographis paniculata leaf extract 10 %, Mirabilis jalapa root extract 10%, Lantana camara leaf extract 10%, Vitex negundo leaf extract 10% was evaluated on two life stages (2nd instars and adults) of Thrips palmi by leaf disc method and pot culture experiment. Both NSKE and neem oil recorded more than 40 per cent mortality after 48 hours of treatment in both the experiments against 2nd instar and adults of Thrips palmi. All botanicals were significantly more toxic to 2nd instar compared to adults. NSKE 5% was the most effective against both nymphs and adults in both the bioassay studies followed by Neem oil 1% and Andrographis paniculata leaf extract 10 %. Vitex negundo leaf extract 10% had the least toxicity.