Biological activities of Melia azedarach L fractions against Plutella xylostella L affecting cabbage and cauliflower

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella is the major pest of commercially grown cabbage and cauliflower in north Himalayan region of India. The studies were aimed at finding new insecticidal compounds of botanical origin to minimize the insecticidal applications and counteract the problem of insecticide resistance in P xylostella. Various fractions of Melia azedarach seed as well as kernel were tested for the mortality of 3^rd instar larvae of diamondback moth. The highest larval mortality of 43.33 and 73.33 per cent was observed due to petroleum ether fraction of seed and kernel respectively. This was followed by chloroform fraction with 38.89 and 50.00 per cent mortality.