Comparative efficacy of neem products, essential oils and synthetic insecticides for the management of onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman

Field experiments were conducted at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, India to study the bio-efficacy of neem seed powder extract (NSPE) (4%), neem soap (NS) (1%), essential oils of Basil or Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum syn. O. sanctum), (0.2%) and scented Geranium, (Pelargonium graveolens), (0.2%) along with commonly used synthetic insecticides viz., dimethoate (0.06%), acephate (0.075%) and fipronil (0.05%) against onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lind. during summer 2011 and 2012. All the treatments of botanicals, essential oils and insecticides significantly reduced thrips incidence during both the seasons. Fipronil was the most effective treatment in reducing thrips and also in increasing yield during both the seasons. However, Basil was at par with fipronil in reducing pest incidence and increasing yield. The NS and NSPE also reduced thrips incidence and were at par with acephate and dimethoate. When yields were considered, plots treated with NSPE, NS, Basil and Geranium and dimethoate were at par during both seasons. This study clearly illustrated that neem products and essential oils can be used as components of thrips IPM.