Effects Of Neem Extracts On The Feeding Survival Longevity And Fecundity Of African Bollworm Helicoverpa Armigera (hubner) (lepidoptera Noctuidae) On Cotton
The effects of neem oil (Nimbecidine 0.03% Aza) and water extracts of neem seed andrnleaf were studied each at three different concentration levels on various developmentalrnstages of African bollworm both under laboratory and field conditions at WererrnAgricultural Research Center. The laboratory study comprised of square dip and larvalrnimmersion experiments, both replicated three times using Completely RandomizedrnDesign. Whereas the field experiment was conducted using a Randomized CompleternBlock Design in three replications to verify neem extracts as a botanical insecticidernunder field condition. Mean mortality of Helicoverpa armigera larvae ranged from 4.67-rn8.00 in square dip experiment and 3.67-6.00 in larval immersion experiment. Whilerncontrol mortality was 0.33 & 1.00 in square dip and larval immersion experiment,rnrespectively. Lower number of damaged squares, ranging from 1.00-4.67 were observedrnin square dip experiment from different concentration levels of Nimbecidine and waterrnextracts of neem seed and leaf. Significantly lower mean weight of artificial dietrnconsumption (0.18-0.68 & 0.43-0.78g) was recorded at 6 & 9 DAT, respectively fromrnvarious concentration levels of Nimbecidine and water extracts of neem seed and leaf inrnlarval immersion experiment. Moreover, higher percent weight loss of ABW larvae, lowerrnpupal weight, relatively extended duration at the larval stage, higher number of larvalpupalrnintermediates, lower number of eggs of which the majority are non-fertile asrncompared to the control were recorded from the various concentration levels of waterrnextracts of neem seed and leaf and Nimbecidine in square dip and larval immersionrnexperiment. However, results of field experiment have indicated that Nimbecidine andrnwater extracts of neem seed and leaf have non-significant effect on the survival of ABWrnlarvae, damaged flowers, squares and bolls in all rounds of spray application and inrncombined analysis. Moreover, no yield advantage was obtained from neem extracts.