Tested biopesticides were significantly superior over untreated check on 1 and 3-days after spray, but did not show any significant effect on the sap sucking pest population 7-days after spray. Of the biopesticides tested, A. indica seed kernel extract (5%) was most effective against whiteflies and jassids 1 and 3 days after the first and second sprays; however, after the third spray, the treatment schedule comprising A. indica oil followed by SL-NPV and later by A. indica seed kernel extract caused maximum reduction of jassids population. The treatment comprising A. indica leaf extract (10%) proved to be least effective against jassids and whiteflies. A. indica seed kernel extract (5%) was significantly more effective in causing the maximum population reduction of whiteflies and jassids after the three sprayings and A. indica oil (1%) application was the next in order of efficacy.

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is the important dangerous diseases in chili. Until now this disease has been difficult to control; while the bacteria attack the xylem vessel they cannot be reached by any bactericide. Biocontrol is potential for controlling this disease. One group of important biocontrol agents is the plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Based on in planta screening method, we have found 13 indigenous rhizobacterial strains from healthy chili’s rhizosphere, which have the ability to control bacterial wilt and to increase growth and yield of chili. This research is aimed at characterizing the direct mechanisms of selected indigenous rhizobacterial strains as biocontrol agents of R. solanacearum in vitro. The physiological characters of indigenous rhizobacterial strains as biocontrol agents had been observed, including production of antibiotic, siderophore, HCN, haemolysine, protease, and biosurfactan. For root colonization rifampicin mutants of indigenous rhizobacterial strains had been the results of in vitro analysis showed that those selected rhizobacterial strains had various physiological characters as biocontrol agents. Not all biocontrol tested characters have been produced by indigenous rhizobacterial strains. Only RZ2.1AP4 strains showed the positive on 3 characters. All indigenous rhizobacterial strains produced biosurfactant but only Pseudomonas hibiscicola strain RZ1.1AG4 showed the highest viscosity. All rifampicin mutants of indigenous rhizobacterial strains have colonized chili roots on rhizoplane and in the root tissues (endophyte) from nursery until 9 days after planting. RZ2.1AP2 and Klebsiela michiganensis strain RZ1.3AG4 showed the highest bacterial population on chilli roots. The bacterial population was higher in root tissue (endophytes) than on the root surface (rhizoplane) from seedling stage until 9 days after transplanting. 

Pseudomonas fluorescens and Beauveria basianna were evaluated in cotton growing season against the common bollworms that infested cotton, pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella and the spiny bollworm, Earias vitella. Reduction in the infestation and larval content was determined after three successive sprays with 15 days interval. The indirect effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens on seed cotton yield was considered and compared with the untreated check. Results of the present study revealed that the foliar application of P. fluorescens and Beauveria basianna treatment exhibited the greatest reduction in bollworms infestation. Soil and Foliar application of P. fluorescens, was recorded with the highest amount of seed cotton yield.

A field experiment was conducted during 2012-15 at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh to evaluate the efficacy of Bt liquid formulations and other biopesticides against gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera and spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata in pigeonpea. There were nine treatments [2 strains of Bt liquid formulations each at two doses, two doses of Beauveria bassiana, neem formulation (azadirachtin 1500 ppm), and chemical check] including untreated control. Pooled analysis of three years data revealed that two sprays of NBAII BtG4 @ 2% at fortnight interval significantly superior over other treatments in suppressing the larval population of H. armigera (3.2 larvae / plant) and M. vitrata (5.9 larvae / plant) on pigeonpea and recorded minimum pod damage (3.7 and 11.4%, respectively) with maximum yield (1565 kg/ha). Further, it was also revealed that all Bt liquid formulations and B. bassiana were safe to natural enemy population viz., spiders and coccinellids existing in pigeonpea ecosystem. It is suggested to utilize biopesticides as ecofriendly insecticides for pigeonpea production.

The present experiment was designed to investigate the pesticididal property of the chosen ferns viz., Cyclosorus interruptus (Willd.) H.Itô (Theylepteridaceae), Christella dentata (Willd.) (Forssk.) Brownsey et Jermy (Theylepteridaceae), and Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) Presl. Phytochemical analysis carried out using methanol extracts of the experimental ferns revealed the presence of the secondary metabolites like alkaloids, steroids, tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides and phenolic compounds in methanolic extracts of the experimental ferns. The nano particles of chosen fern extracts synthesized using silver nitrate (AgNO3) showed the characteristic colour change from pale yellow to dark brown indicated the synthesis of silver based nano particles. The UV- Visible spectrum obtained for the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of the experimental ferns confirmed the synthesis of nanoparticles (433.50 nm, 447.00 nm and 444.00 nm for C. interruptus, C. dentata and N. cordifolia, respectively). Bioassay on the pesticidal property of the methanol extracts and ferns-AgNP were evaluated against third instar larvae of Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The results of the bioassay revealed the impact of methanolic extracts and their AgNP particles on the developmental period, pupal weight, percentage of pupation and adult emergence and also caused larval, pupal and adult deformities that confirm the insecticidal activity of the experimental ferns.