Comparative efficacy of aqueous and ethanolic Dashparni extracts against cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii)

Abstract

An experiment including aqueous and ethanolic Dashparni leaf extracts has been conducted to evaluate their efficacy against aphid on cotton. The results revealed that most superior treatment for management of aphid on cotton was Dashparni extract (45 days old) followed by Dashparni extract (30 days old), fermented Dashparni extract (15 days old), Dashparni extract, petroleum ether Dashparni extract, and fresh Dashparni extract which was statistically at par with each other. The highest aphid population was noticed in untreated plot. Overall, the results suggest that fermented Dashparni extract, especially the 45-day fermented version, shows great promise as a natural, eco-friendly pest control solution for cotton crops. This could offer a sustainable alternative to harmful synthetic pesticides, mitigating environmental risks and promoting greener agricultural practices.