Efficacy of some selected botanical extracts against the Cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley)

Abstract- Laboratory studies were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of some locally available botanicals against cotton mealy bug Phenacoccus solenopsis on shoe flower plants Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Plants extracts obtained from Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum, Calotropis gigantea, Nicotina tabacum and Alium sativum using standard methods. Among all these botanicals, extracts were prepared and dilutions were obtained at 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0,1.2,1.5, 2.0 percentage concentrations with the addition of soap solution. Among the treated botanicals, O.sanctum was effective significantly (p<0.05) at lower concentrations and has the 0.6% concentration as LC50. O.sanctum solution of this particular strength was applied in a field trial and was resulted lower adult mortality (39%) and a higher nymphal mortality (72%). Neem, Tobacco, Calotropis and Garlic solutions have LC50 values as 0.82, 0.89, 0.95 and 1.15 percentages respectively. Index Terms- Botanicals, Efficacy, Extracts, Phenacoccus solenopsis I