Journal ID : AMA-25-03-2023-12145
[This article belongs to Volume - 54, Issue - 03]
Total View : 360

Title : Eco-friendly management of leaf and fruit scarring beetle (Basilepta spp., Colaspis spp.) by using bio-pesticides and mechanical barriers

Abstract :

Efficacy of bio-pesticides and mechanical barriers for eco-friendly management of banana against scarring beetle were evaluated in two field experiments at Bhola Paswan Shastri Agricultural College, Purnea, Bihar during 2014 to 2017. Neem seed kernel powder @ 15 g per banana whorl was found most effective against banana scaring beetle among all evaluated bio-pesticides and lower down the pest population (13.63 /plant) as compare to control (63.84/plant). This treatment showed lowest number of scars (13.43 scars/20cm2 area of banana) as compare to control (66.72 scars/20cm2 area of banana). It was also found effective and perform better in enhancement of number of hands/bunch (7.44), number of fingers/hand (16.60) and yield/plant or bunch weight (19.43 Kg). For the assessment of different mechanical barriers for eco-friendly management of banana scaring beetle, another experiment was conducted for three consecutive years at same location. In this experiment sprayed neem oil (azadirachtin 0.1%) along with 17 GSM polypropylene bags which acted as mechanical barrier for the new flower of banana just before/during opening of flower. It was found most effective in reducing scarring beetle population (5.91/plant) as compare to control (62.25/plant). This treatment showed lowest infestation (scars) (2.79 scars/20cm2 area of banana) as compare to control (62.78 scars/20cm2 area of banana) and also produced highest bunch weight (24.56 kg). It also enhanced fingers per hand (7.84) as well as number of hands (17.66) per bunch. Scarring beetle infested fruits lost their marketability due to partial or complete damage and fetched very low market price. Earlier it was considered as minor pest and farmers were unaware about its prevalence and eco-friendly management regarding this emerging pest. Present investigations for eco-friendly management by using bio-pesticides and timing of application of mechanical barriers helps farmers in reducing the pest population economically.

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