EFFICACY OF SOME SELECTED BOTANICALS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF MAJOR INSECT PESTS OF SQUASH

Abstract

Experiment was conducted in research field of the department of entomology, Sher- e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka in order to evaluate the efficacy of some botanicals against major insect pests of squash. The experiment was laid out seven treatments and three replications in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The treatments were neem oil, neem seed kernel extract, datura seed extract, garlic bulb extract, mehagany seed extract, black pepper seed extract and control. In context of controlling fruit fly infestation in squash, lowest fruit infestation in terms of percent fruit infested (6.17%@1 day after first spray, 9.09%@7 days after first spray, 14.90%@7 days after second spray, 24.33%@7 days after second spray) obtained from neem oil treated plots. Similarly, lowest population of aphids (6.54 aphids per leaf and 4.23 aphids per leaf during vegetative and fruiting stage respectively), red pumpkin beetle (0.18 per plot and 0.69 per plot during vegetative and fruiting stage respectively) and epilachna beetle (0.02 per plot and 0.29 per plot respectively) obtained from neem oil treated plots. Moreover, the lowest leaf damage (5.66% damaged leaves per plant) obtained from neem oil also. However, highest yield of squash in terms of fruit length (37.48 cm) and yield (38.64 ton/ha) was obtained from neem oil treatment. Among the botanicals neem oil was the best for control of major insect pests of squash.