Maize cyst nematode, Heterodera zeae (Koshy et al.) has been reported to cause significant losses in Rajasthan due to monocropping of maize, favorable soil and environmental conditions and ignorance of management practices. In present investigation, an experiment was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of neem (Azadirachta indica), aak (Calotropis procera) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) leaf powder for the management of maize cyst nematode, H. zeae on maize variety PEHM-2. Plant leaf powders were applied at 1, 2 and 4 g/plant as soil amendment at the time of sowing. A treated chemical check (Phorate 2 kg/ha) and untreated check were also maintained for interpretation of experimental results. Results indicated maximum increase in shoot length, root length, shoot weight and root weight which were observed when neem leaf powders were applied at 4 g/plant followed by aak and water hyacinth leaf powders at 4 g/plant. Significant reduction in nematode population viz., cyst/plant, cyst/100 cc soil, eggs and larvae/cyst and larvae/100 cc soil was also observed with neem leaf powders at 4 g/plant over control.

The preliminary screening under laboratory conditions is a great value for evaluating the acaricidal and ovicidal activities of hexane, dichloromethane and methanol crude extracts of Leucaena glauca Benth.(Leguminosae) seeds against adults and eggs of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acariformes). The leaf disc no choice and leaf disc choice tests were used to determine the acaricidal effects while direct spray method was used to investigate the ovicidal effects. Hexane and dichloromethane extracts of dried seeds demonstrated higher acaricidal effect than other extracts under leaf disc no choice test. The hexane and dichloromethane extracts of L. glauca dried seeds at 10000 ppm (v/v) induced the highest mortality rates of 80.6 and 98.9% of T. urticae female adults, respectively. These extracts also demonstrated oviposition deterring effects based on a 100% reduction of the total number of eggs on leaf disc treated with the extracts. This investigation indicated that hexane and dichloromethane extracts of dried seeds at all treated concentrations (100, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10000 ppm) also had a good potential for repelling this mite and decreasing the egg laying on the treated surfaces under leaf disc choice test since < 50% of alive mites and eggs were found on the treated sides. In the side of ovicidal activity, the hexane and

dichloromethane extracts of L. glauca fresh and dried seeds caused higher percentage of egg mortality compared to the control. Egg mortalities of 59.8-98.8% and 82.3-97.6% were detected in hexane and dichloromethane extracts of L. glauca fresh seeds at concentrations ranging from 10000 to 50000 ppm, respectively. Egg mortalities of 95.8-99.6% and 64.9-97.5% were recorded when treated with hexane and dichloromethane extracts of dried seeds at the same concentrations of the fresh seeds, respectively. Hence, the hexane and dichloromethane extracts of L. glauca have the efficacy to be developed as botanical acaricides for T. urticae management.

Ethanol crude extract of Piper betel Linn. (Piperaceae) leaves were tested under in vitro for antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi in economic crops. It exhibited 100 percent inhibition against all tested plant pathogenic fungi at a concentration of 1 % using the dilution method whereas inhibition was evident at 10% when tested by the diffusion method. The results suggested that crude extract exhibited fungistasis activity by inhibiting mycelial growth, and fungicidal activity by inhibiting spore germination. Fractionation of crude extract by column chromatography eluted with 51 solvent combination systems of increased polarity yielded 51 micro fractions which were tested for inhibition activity against plant pathogenic fungi in vitro. The micro fractions F4, F5, F7 and F8 showed antifungal activity and the TLC chromatogram indicated the common compounds were contained in these four fractions. Further re-fractionation of the most active fractions, F7 and F8 were eluted with mixture of petroleum ether and chloroform and tested for antifungal activity. The 21 submicro fractions of PE: CHCl3 at ratio of 40:60 to 32:68 exhibited antifungal activity with the same results as in the former experiment. The TLC chromatograms indicated the presence of the like compounds and it is suggested that the active compounds might be contained in these sub micro fractions of PE: CHCl3. The dosage response curve indicated a positive linear relationship between concentrations and the level of antifungal activity. NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy was conducted to elucidate the chemical structure of the active compound contained in the fractions F7 and F8 which was identified as hydroxychavicol. The study concluded that hydroxychavicol in the crude extract from P. betel leaves is an active constituent against plant pathogenic fungi. 

The different biopesticides were tested against the natural incidence of the capitulum borer Helicoverpa armigera on sunflower crop var. Morden during kharif 2010 in the experimental farm of Marathwada Agricultural University, Oilseeds Research Station at Latur. The experiment was undertaken in a randomized block design (RBD) with seven treatments viz., B. bassiana SC formulation @ 250 mg/L, DOR Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt) formulation @ 2.5 g/L, HaNPV (DOR isolate) @ 2 x 108 POBs/mL Commercial neem formulation 0.5 %, NSKE 5 %,PSE 5%, Profenophos 0.05 % and Untreated Control in three replications with 4.2 x 4.5 m2 plots and row to spacing of 60 x 30 cm. In all two sprayings were undertaken so as to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and it was observed that the larval incidence at 1, 3 and 7 days after both spraying was lowest in plots sprayed with Profenophos . However the next best treatments in the order of effectiveness for the control of Helicoverpa were HaNPV @ 2 x 108 POBs/mL, NSKE 5 %, DOR B. bassiana 250 mg, DOR Bt 5 @ 2.5 gm/litre, PSE 5 % and Neem formulation 0.5%. All the biopesticides proved safer to natural enemy but treatment of Profenophos was lethal to them, however, highest yield was recorded with the same (1140 kg/ha) but it is at par with other biopesticides. 

The insect antifeedant and toxic activity of two marine plants, Hibiscus tiliaceus and Sonneratia caseolaris on the herbivorous insects, Spodoptera litura F. were tested in the laboratory. The crude extracts were further purified in a column and their purified fractions were assessed for their antifeedant and insecticidal activity. The leaves extracted separately with acetone yielded crude extract which showed significant antifeedant activity to the 2nd as well as 3rd instar larvae of S. litura. The topical application of the plant crude extracts resulted in causing toxicity to the lepidopteran pest which was not more than 50 per cent with both the plant treatments. The extracts had considerable effect on the S. litura metamorphosis in the form of a delayed pupal formation and morphogenetic abnormalities in pupae due to the larval treatment, which affected the percentage adult eclosion. The crude leaf extract possesses moderate insecticidal activity to three of the major stored product pests, the flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum H., the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L. and the lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica (F.). All eluted fractions from H. tiliaceus and S. caseolaris have shown excellent antifeedant activity on S. litura than crude extracts. Particularly hexane eluted fraction of the crude extracts of both the marine plants showed potent growth inhibitory activity. We infer that the marine dwelling plants H. tiliaceus and S. caseolaris extracts has good feeding inhibitor activity to S. litura and a moderate toxicity to three of the major stored product pests. 

The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) crude extracts of five marine-derived fungi, namely Emericella nidulans (KUFA 0104), Hamigera avellanea (KUFA 0106), Neosartorya fischeri (KUFA 0107), N. pseudofischeri (KUFA 0108) and Talaromyces trachyspermus (KUFA 0021), were evaluated for their in vitro antifungal activity against ten economically important plant pathogenic fungi. The crude extract of Talaromyces trachyspermus (KUFA 0021) exhibited the most effective mycelial growth inhibition in most of the plant pathogenic fungi whereas the rest of the crude extracts displayed relevant antifungal properties against the tested plant pathogenic fungi. The EtOAc crude extract of T. trachyspermus (KUFA 0021) was found to effectively inhibit the mycelial growth of Alternaria brassicicola, Colletotrichum capsici, Helminthosporium maydis, Pythium aphanidermatum, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii with IC50 values 100-186 ppm and IC90 values 205-807 ppm and displayed total inhibition of mycelial growth on all plant pathogenic fungi at the highest concentration tested (10,000 ppm). Interestingly, this extract was effective on the mycelial growth inhibition of P. aphanidermatum even at low concentration with have IC50 and IC90 values 100 and 205 ppm, respectively. Chemical investigation of the EtOAc crude extract of the culture of T.trachyspermus (KUFA 0021) resulted in theisolation of spiculisporic acid E, 3- acetylergosterol 5, 8- endoperoxide,ergosta- 4,6,8 (14), 22- tetraen- 3- one, glaucanic acid and glauconic acid. Spiculisporic acid E, glaucanic acid, glauconic acid and the combination of these compounds were tested for the antifungal activity and it was found that none of them was active against the tested

plant pathogens.

Occurrence of root rot disease in sesame has become a major constraint for cultivation of sesame in Junagadh district of Gujarat State (India). Considering the fact, the following investigation was carried out for this pathological problem. The efficacy of various

botanicals were evaluated against Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi.) Goid causing root rot of sesame. The phytoextracts of nine plant species were evaluated in vitro by poisoned food technique against M. phaseolina. The extract of garlic cloves (Allium sativum L.) was proved excellent with maximum inhibiting (77.65 %) mycelial growth and scanty sclerotial formation followed by onion bulb extract (Allium cepa L.) (63.98%). while least growth inhibition (32.34 %) was recorded in ginger rhizome extract. 

Moringa oleifera commonly known as Moringa is a multipurpose plant. Field trials were conducted to assess the potency of Moringa leaf (MLE) and root extracts (MRE) as plant growth regulator (PGR) and a Bio-pesticide on wheat crop. At distinct crop growth stages (tillering, booting, and heading) with different concentrations (5, 10, 12.5, and 25% v/v or w/v or w/w) of MLE and MRE were applied. Results showed statistically significant increase in crop growth traits and reduction in aphid infestation (booting, milk, and heading stage). As plant growth regulator maximum leaf area duration (LAD), leaf area index (LAI), and total dry matter accumulation (TDM) were

recorded at all growth stages for MLE 25%. Highest crop growth rate (CGR) (24.91 gm-2day-1) at tillering was achieved for MLE 5%, 13.04 gm-2day-1 for MRE 10% at booting stage and 8.76 gm-2day-1 for MLE 10% at heading stage. Maximum thousand grains weight (57.33g), highest number of spikes per plant (9.67plant-1) and maximum grain yield (4446Kg hac-1) were determined for MLE 25%. The heading stage of the

crop was heavily infested with aphids and MLE 5% significantly reduced pest infestation compared to other concentrations of MLE and MRE and control group. Overall, MLE and MRE proved very effective as plant growth regulator and a Biopesticide against wheat aphid on wheat crop.

The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of seed treatment through bio-agent on maize cyst nematode, Heterodera zeae on sweet corn (variety- Madhuri). For this study, bio-agents viz., Paecilomyces lilacinus, Pochonia chlamydosporia and Trichoderma viride were tested as seed treatment at 1, 2 and 4 % w/w for the management of maize cyst nematode, H. zeae on sweet corn. A standard chemical

(Acephate 2%w/w) and untreated check was also maintained for comparison. Observations on shoot weight (g), root weight (g), cyst per 100 cc soil, cyst per plant, and final larvae population per 100 cc soil were recorded to interpretate the experimental findings. Results showed that Paecilomyces lilacinus at 4 per cent was found most effective followed by Pochonia chlamydosporia at 4 per cent and

Paecilomyces lilacinus at 2 per cent in enhancing plant growth of sweet corn and to reduced the infection of Heterodera zeae. Seed treatment with Paecilomyces lilacinus at 4 per cent w/w was found most effective to enhanced plant growth of sweet corn and management of H. zeae.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) seed is greatly affected by the pest called bruchids (Callosobruchus sp.) during storage. Search for organic based biopesticide for control of bruchids led to the use of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) that had an invigorating effect

on maintenance of seed viability. The seeds treated with CNSL recorded higher germination in 12 months storage. Number of eggs, number of insects and seed damage percentage were meagre in CNSL treated seeds but was comparatively effective to neem oil.