Effectiveness of botanicals and synthetic insecticides against the aphid Uroleucon compositae (Theobald) on the ornamental crop Gaillardia pulchella

Investigations on bioefficacy of botanicals and synthetic insecticides against Uroleueon eompositae (Theobald) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) a pest of ornamental crop, Gaillardia pulehella Foug was carried out at B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, W. India, during the year 2004. Among the botanicals evaluated, neem seed kernel extract (3%), neem leaf extract (10%) and arduso leaf extract (10%) were found effective in reducing the pest which resulted in higher (25.39 to 24.21 kg/ha). The Incremental Cost Benefit Ratio (ICBR) value of effective botanicals was 1:53.71, 1:47.87 and 1:41.74 respectively. Of the nine synthetic insecticides tested, dimethoate (0.03%), methyl-o-demeton (0.025%) and monocrotophos (0.04%) provided maximum protection of gaillardia crop against U. compositae. Dimethoate (ICBR 1:77) yielded maximum gaillardia flowers followed by methyl-o-demeton (ICBR 1:60.91) and monocrotophos (ICBR 1:63.90).