Synergistic action of neem and karanj to aphids and mites

Methanolic extract of neem (Azadirachta indica L.) and karanj (Pongamia pinnata Pierre) oil enriched in azadirachtin and karanjin respectively were tested alone and in combination against Tetranychus species and chrysanthemum aphid Macrosiphoniella sanborni. The combined formulation consists of methanolic extract of neem (NSOME) and karanj oil (PSOME) was very effective (LC₅₀ 0.11%) and showed 70 and 11.36 fold increase in activity over NSOME (7.7%) and PSOME (1.25%) alone in laboratory against T. species. Field studies were conducted on Tetranychus species infecting Withania somenifera. The combined formulation provided more than 90% protection at the lowest concentration (0.25%), whereas PSOME and NSOME provided only 78.6 and 71.9% protection even at the highest concentration (1%) tested. Combined formulation also showed synergism between NSOME and PSOME against chrysanthemum aphid M. sanborni causing 100% protection compared to 68.4 and 52.9% of NSOMEand PSOME respectively after 48 at 0.5% concentration.