Eco-friendly management practices against jassid (Amrasca biguttula biguttula) infestation in okra at Jhapa District

Abstract

This experiment was conducted in the okra field at Gauradaha Agriculture Campus in Jhapa District, between March to June 2023 to evaluate eco-friendly practices through different treatments against jassid (Amrasca biguttula biguttula) in okra. The layout was carried out to fit the experiment into Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 7 treatments and 3 replications using a variety Arka Anamika. The treatments were: Agri-spray oil 99% EC (4 ml/ltr), Cow-urine (200ml/ltr), Neem oil (2ml/ltr), Tobacco (200 ml/ltr), Eucalyptus (200 ml/ltr), Mugwort (200ml/ltr) and Control with water spray. Treatments were applied 3 times using a foliar spray method. Following 3 sprays, observations were made on each spray on the 2nd, 4th and 6th days of application. Highest Population Reduction over Control (PROC) i.e. 74.27%, 38.62% and 36.36% of jassids was found in first, second and third spray of agri-spray oil followed by tobacco i.e. 62.57%, 31.21%, 37.45% and neem oil i.e. 59.69%, 23.47%, 20.97% respectively and was found to be significant in each three sprays of treatments. Based on overall performance, agri-spray oil performed better by reducing the pest population and producing highest yield.Among botanicals, tobacco was found to be superior for controlling pests. Therefore, the application of eco-friendly pesticides can reduce the use of synthetic pesticides that are costly and possess a large toxicity to natural enemies and negative impact on human health and environment.