A field trial was conducted in a replicated randomized block design at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya Instructional Farm, West Bengal during 2005 and 2006, to assess the bioefficacy of two indigenous plant products viz., seed extracts of Annona squamosa (Annonaceae) and Strychnos nuxvomica (Loganeaceae) using methanol as solvent and an entomopathogenic fungus, Verticillium lecanii, in controlling shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guen. (Pyraustidae, Lepidoptera) on ‘Muktakeshi’ variety of brinjal. Both the botanicals were used at 2.0 ml, 3.0 ml and 4.0 ml/lit of water, while for V. lecanii, these were 1.5 g, 2.0 g and 3.0 g/lit of water. Besides untreated control, emamectin benzoate 5% SG was used at 0.22 g, 0.28 g and 0.56 g/lit of water, for comparison. The results obtained indicated a reduction in fruit damage in the range of 71.98% to 76.94%, 65.99% to 66.79% and 58.67% to 66.79% respectively, over control, in treatments with A. squamosa, S. nuxvomica and V. lecanii, while in case of emamectin benzoate, it was 69.93% to 73.04%. Keeping quality of fruits was better as compared to treatment with emamectin benzoate.
Bioefficacy, botanicals, biopesticide, Leucinodes orbonalis
