In the recent years, incidence of the leafhopper, Amrasca devastans (Distant) in cotton has been prevalent from vegetative to reproductive phase of crop growth. The loss in seed cotton yield due to leaf hopper is accounted to 390 kg ha-1 and 330 kg ha-1. In India 45 per cent of the pesticides are applied to cotton. Hence, development of a resistant / tolerant cultivar is the need of the hour to to reduce three ‘ R ’ viz., Resistance, Resurgence and Residues in biota. Screening of twenty six cotton accessions against the leafhopper, A. devastans (Distant) was carried out by following ICCC grades. The susceptiblity of cotton entries varied significantly. Based on the resistance index the entries were grouped under five categories as, Highly resistant- KC 2, SVPR 2; Resistant-TKH 1128: Intermediate- MCU 5, MCU 10, NISD 2, TKH 1143,TKH 1175: Susceptible- TKH 1789, TKH 1173, TKH 1174, TKH 1178, TKH 1179, TKH 1185, TKH 1186, TKH 1209, TKH 1225, TKH 1233 and Highly susceptible- ICMF 20, LRA 5166, TKH 1133, TKH 1172, TKH 1176, TKH 1182, TKH 1197, TKH 1198. Studies on the mechanism of resistance revealed that leafhoppers discriminated cotton entries for orientation and settling and feeding. Highly susceptible entiries were preferred for settling and feeding. Varieties less preferred for settling were less preferred for oviposition too. Since antixenosis and antibiosis were considered for mechanism of resistance various plant parameters viz., Plant height, internodal length, petiole length, leaf area, thickness of leaf, trichome density on the ventral surface of the leaves, hair length, hair density on mid-vein, distance between bases of hairs in mid vein, chlorophyll content, moisture content and protein content were estimated and correlated with leafhopper ovipostion and damage caused. Plant height, internodal length, trichome density on the ventral surface of the leaves, hair length, hair density on mid-vein had negative association with leafhopper damage and oviposition by leafhopper; leaf area, leaf thickness and protein content had no significant association. Susceptible entries had less chlorophyll and more moisture.

The impact of induced resistance acquired in coffee plants through organic sources of nutrition on berry infestation, feeding preference, ovipositional preference and developmental period of coffee berry borer was assessed. Among the various organic sources of nutrients / amendments tested, application of farm yard manure (FYM) (1.25 t/ha) + neem cake (0.75 t/ha) + azophos (25 kg/ha) followed by FYM + neem cake in two equal splits at four months interval was found to be consistently effective in reducing the infestation of coffee berry borer throughout the period of observations and also less preferred for feeding and oviposition by coffee berry borer and thus exhibited high inhibition for feeding (antifeedant) and ovipositional deterrency. The organics treated plots recorded significantly prolonged larval duration due to neem and it was maximum in FYM + neem cake + azophos (18.76 + 3.14 days) as compared to 13.41 + 2.25 in inorganic NPK. The growth index of berry borer was the least (4.24) in the treatment with FYM + neem cake + azophos as compared to 6.87 in inorganic NPK.

Insect pests are the major problem in cotton production. Among the pests, bollworm complex is very serious throughout the country and it poses a serious threat to cotton cultivation in many agro- ecological zones. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy against the spotted bollworm, Earias vittella (Fab.) which is predominant in most of the cotton growing areas all over the world. The experiment was conducted with neonates and third instar of the spotted bollworm on squares and bolls of Bt cotton cultivars namely MECH 162 Bt ,MECH 184 Bt, RCH2 Bt along with check varieties MCU7 and SVPR3.The percentage mortality on squares and bolls under laboratory conditions was observed. On square basis, at 65 DAS, RCH2 Bt recorded (96 %) a higher percentage mortality followed by MECH 162 Bt (93.33 %) and MECH 184 Bt (89.33 %) compared to their NBt counterparts and check varieties MCU7 and SVPR3. Significantly higher percentage mortality was observed in Bt hybrids at 80, 95 and 110 DAS. On boll basis, RCH2 Bt recorded a higher percentage mortality, 29.41 and 33.00 percent followed by MECH 162 Bt (22.08 and 22.07 %) and MECH 184 Bt (18.33 and 11.07 %) at 128 and 143 DAS respectively compared to their NBt counterparts and check varieties. The highest per cent mortality was recorded in RCH2 Bt followed by MECH 162 Bt and MECH 184 Bt on square and boll basis. All the Bt varieties recorded higher per cent mortality compared to their check varieties. It was concluded that RCH2 Bt (93.67% and 29.37%) was more effective against the spotted bollworms, E. vittella compared to the other cultivars.

An attempt was made to assess antifungal activity of Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers ethanolic and acetone extracts. Agar well diffusion technique was followed for screening against fungi like Fusarium oxysporum, Trichothecium roseum, Cladosporium herbarum and Trichoderma viridi. The maximum inhibition zone was recorded in acetone extracts of stem.

The fungal isolates collected from Karaikal were tested against seven insect pests using different inoculation methods viz., spraying, crawling and dipping. Dipping method was found to be highly effective (82.50 percent) to coccinellids followed by spraying and crawling methods (48.75 and 13.75 per cent ). Larval mortality of spotted pod borer in pulses is more with spraying method (85.00 per cent). Isolate of Fusarium moniliforme on Green Leaf Hopper (GLH) recorded 90 per cent mortality with spraying method. Isolate of F. pallidoroseum against third instar of rice leaf folder caused 82.50 per cent mortality in spraying method followed by crawling (62.5) and dipping methods (42.5 ). Among the three methods, spraying method was considered to be superior. Isolate of F.pallidoroseum against third instar larvae of E. vittella recorded 50.00, 40.00 and 90.00 per cent mortality with spraying, crawling and dipping methods respectively. In general spraying method was found to be superior .

Laboratory studies using the spore of the fungus Beaueria bassiana were carried out at different concentrations to assess its influence on the survival of the larvae of groundnut caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) as well its impact on the larval gut microflora. In the contaminated food bioassay, a spore density of 109 spores/ml caused 100% larval mortality while LC 50 value was found to be 0.5x106 spores / ml. The heterotrophic bacterial population and the generic composition in the digestive tract of the larvae treated with the entomopathogenic fungi were analyzed. Nine species of bacterial genera Bacillus sp., Proteus sp., Enterobacter sp., Salmonella sp., Pseudomonas sp., Escherichia sp., Klebsiella sp., were identified in the digestive tract. The ingestion of fungal spores eliminated three genera of bacteria in the digestive tract

Conidia of the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae (SBT # 27 and SBT # 28) were produced under standard condition and then examined for influences on vitro conidial germination speed and virulence to an insect host, Helicoverpa armigera. Conidia were most virulent (based on mortality at 6 d) and had the fastest germination rates when produced on SMB (Sabouraud maltose broth) and the media pH is 6.0 - 6.2. The second instar larvae were exposed to the fungus and the concentration is of 1 x 107 and 1 x108 conidia/ml were tested against host insects at 280 C, SBT # 27 isolates showing 98 - 100% mortality in 8days against H. armigera and SBT # 28 showing 90 - 92% in 8 days. Among the two isolates SBT # 27 is superior in terms of high percent kill as well as 100% germination of conidia within 48 hours. However, SBT # 27 isolate showing greater pathogenicity against insect pest.

The effect of 12 essential oils viz, pepper oil (Piper nigrum L.), nutmeg oil (Myristica fragrans Houtt.), turmeric oil (Curcuma longa L.), capsicum oil (Capsicum annum L.), coriander oil (Coriandrum sativum L.), fennel oil (Sweet) ((Ocimum gratissimum L.), fennel oil (Bitter) (Foeniculum vulgare ssp piperitum. Mill.), clove oil (Syzygium aromaticum L.), tulsi oil (Ocimum sanctum L.), cinnamon oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Breyne.), mustard oil (Brassica juncea L.) and eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus citriodora Hook) were tested for fungicidal properties against Rhizoctonia solani - the causal agent of sore shin disease of tobacco by poisoned food technique. The minimum inhibitory concentration varied between 500 - 2000 ppm. Essential oil of cinnamon was found most effective, as it recorded complete inhibition of the pathogen at 500 ppm. Clove oil showed mycelial inhibition at 1000 ppm. Fennel and nutmeg oil were effective at 2000 ppm.

The influence of the dietary supplementation of the herbal tonic “Alloe” containing principally the extract of Aloe vera Linne. on the growth and the cocoon characteristics of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori L. commercial cross breed race L x CSR2 during its fifth instar was experimented. This, in general, elicited better response of the growth and the cocoon characteristics of this silkworm. Specifically, the Aloe vera tonic at 2.0 per cent concentration resulted higher larval growth and increased the weight of cocoon. The mean larval weight, relative growth rate, effective rearing rate, larval consumption index of the final instar larvae of B. mori increased with this supplementation of Aloe vera tonic. The average pupal weight and mother moth weight also increased as a result of this supplementation. Maximum shell weight and shell ratio were noted in the experimental sets treated with the A. vera tonic. In addition, the fibroin content of the cocoon shell produced by this silkworm in response to the dietary supplementation of Aloe vera tonic treatment also showed significant increase over the control The overall performance of Bombyx mori in response to this A. vera tonic treatment observed in the present study and the evaluation index values worked out showed that the growth and the cocoon parameters could be improved with the supplementation of A. vera commercial preparations.

Acute toxicity and mutual synergistic effect of six monoterpenoids on Spodoptera littoralis larvae was recorded. Out of the essential oils compounds tested for topical acute toxicity, the most potent were thymol and carvacrol, with LD90 values < 100 ìg per larva (weight 25 - 30 mg). In comparison for fumigant acute toxicity, the most potent were ã-terpinene, p-cymene and 1,8-cineole, with LD90 values < 100 ìg per cm3. Nine binary mixtures out of 15 tested couples showed the synergistic effect in topical application. The most significant synergism was found in p-cymene in the mixture with ã-terpinene or carvacrol. In the fumigant application, 9 binary mixtures showed a synergistic effect; 5 mixtures showed an additive effect, and one mixture showed an antagonistic effect. The most profound synergistic effect was found in ã - terpinene in the mixture with carvacrol and in p-cymene in the mixture with thymol or carvacrol.

Six commercial biopesticides like, dk-bioneem (0.1 and 0.2%,) multineem (0.01 and 0.03%), neem oil (0.5 and 1.0%), azacel (0.01 and 0.03%), calpaste (0.02 and 0.04%) and larvocel (0.05 & 0.1%) were evaluated against Dicladispa armigera in the field conditions. Five replications were followed for each treatment and each replication consists of four hills (25cm × 25cm area). Control (water spray) was also run against treatment. All the biopesticides showed effective reduction of the pest. However, highest mortality was obtained by Azacel (@0.03%) after 5 days of treatment but Larvocel (@0.1%) caused 86.36% reduction of hispa population after 10 days of treatment

There is an urgent need to explore and utilize naturally occurring products for combating harmful agricultural and public health pests. The present study was carried out to evaluate the insecticidal property of the methanol (ME) and water (AqE) extracts of Duranta erecta Linn. leaves against larvae of Culex quinquefascitatus (Say). The extraction was done by using methanol (ME) and water (AqE) as solvents. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts showed the presence of sugars, tannins, saponins, steroids, alkaloids, phenols, flavanoids, glycosides, triterepens and carboxylic acid. Both extracts of D. erecta have larvicidal activity. Between the extracts, ME has more than AqE.

Acetonic extracts of melon pumpkin, Cucurbita maxima (Duchesne), Sweet Orange, Citrus sinensis (L.) and Sour Orange, Citrus aurantium (L.), were evaluated for insecticidal activity against adults of three stored product pests viz., Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), by filter paper diffusion method (direct contact application) and fumigation methods. The insect responses towards the treatment depended on the type of plant, the time of exposure and also the mode of application. In a test with the filter paper diffusion method (contact application), C. maxima leaf extract showed 100% mortality to S. oryzae and R. dominica within three days after treatment (DAT) at the rate of 8.5 mg/cm2, whereas, only 65% mortality was observed against T. castaneum at this dosage. The application of the crude plant extracts, C. sinensis and C. aurantium in the same concentrations, caused 89% and 76% mortality to S. oryzae and R. dominica respectively 72 hrs post treatment. Both the extracts produced comparatively less toxicity to T. castaneum and C. sinensis within the same duration of time. Among the 3 insects tested T. castaneum was the most tolerant having least mortality against all the phytochemicals. The plant compounds lack volatile toxic chemicals as indicated by the absence of significant mortality in fumigation bioassays.

The pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis Linn. (Coleoptera:Bruchidae) is one of the major pests of pulses in storage. During the present study an attempt was made to screen and compare the efficacy of Ocimum sanctum and Ocimum basilicum (Lamiaceae) on egg-laying performance of the bruchid on grains of Vigna radiata (mung). The leaves of the select two plants were employed in the form of crude extract, powder suspension, aqueous extract, ethanol extract and diethyl ether extract at dose concentrations of 10, 25 and 50%. Significant reduction (P< 0.05) in oviposition was documented in sets treated with the formulations of both the plants as compared to control and normal. The formulations of O. basilicum were observed to be superior to O. sanctum in reducing egg-laying. Moreover, ethanol extract, crude extract and powder suspension were also noted to significantly bring down the number of eggs laid by the pulse beetle. Dose concentration was found to be inversely proportional to the number of eggs laid by the bruchid and formulations of 50% concentration resulted in minimum oviposition. The results suggest that formulations of both the species of Ocimum  have a potential to act as ovipositional deterrent and can beemployed against C.chinensis for its control.

Plants synthesize many industrially useful chemicals for the benefit of humanity. Plant biopesticides are species specific, less harmful to beneficial arthropods, biodegradable and require low cost in developing formulations than synthetic pesticides that are directly developed from petrochemical derivatives. Twenty different tablet formulations prepared from various combinations of promising plant products have been evaluated for stored pulse grains protection. The natural menthol (9.09%) based tablet formulation containing natural binder and carrier agent-Vigna mungo seed powder (73.63%), liquid preservative-Acetic acid (11.36%), solid powdered preservative - sodium benzoate (5.68%) and edible lemon yellow colour (0.22%) (Treatment - XVII) applied once was found to be the most suitable for the management of adzuki bean beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L. adult during pulse grains storage period of three and six months. The two tablets/250g grains comprising menthol (XVII) was found to reduce significantly 100% C. chinensis population in jars containing grains of both Cicer arietinum and Lens esculenta up to six months storage period. The beetle population did not increase as compared to average increase range of 245 to 1515 adult beetle populations in C. arietinum and 1825 to 3346 in L. esculenta in other treatments and untreated control during three months of storage. Result indicates that menthol containing cost effective tablets formulation may be developed at commercial level to protect the pulse grains attack of adzuki bean beetles during storage in homes and market places.

Laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of leaf powders of six plants (Spider plant, Basil, Hyptis, Sugar apple, Desert date and Negro coffee) and a synthetic insecticide Pirimiphosmethyl (Actellic Dust) in controlling Tribolium castaneum Herbst in stored millet grain(Variety-Sosat). The leaf powders of each plant and the pirimiphos-methyl were tested at 2.5g, 5.0g and 7.5g/25g of sound millet grain. The experiment was laid in a completely randomized design and each treatment was replicated three times. Although both the plant product and synthetic treatments were significantly higher than control, Pirimiphos-methyl at all the tested concentrations caused significantly higher adult mortality of 3.17 at 22 hours after treatment (HAT) and 1.83 at 72 hours after treatment (HAT) than all the plant materials, with complete suppression of larval development and adult emergence at 15 and 45 days after treatment (DAT), respectively. Among the other treatment, desert date and sugar apple caused adult mortality of 1.00 and 1.29 at 22 and 72 HAT, respectively. This resulted into significant reduction in larval development, adult emergence and grain weight loss at 15, 45 and 63 DAT, respectively. Basil was next to sugar apple and desert date in terms of effectiveness, with grain weight loss of 1.98% and grain damage of 22.2%. Although, 5.0g and 7.5g concentration of plant powders were equally effective in reducing larval development and adult emergence, however, maximum grain protection was obtained with Sugar apple in 7.5g concentration/ 25g millet grain at 63 DAT, i.e. adult mortality was highest (1.29), while grain weight loss (2.82) and grain damage (10.6) were lowest at this concentration. Therefore, use of Sugar apple at the concentration of 7.5g/25g (i.e. 30% w/w) is recommended for the maximum protection of millet grain against damage by T. castaneum in storage.

Larvicidal and pupicidal effects of neem leaf were made on the third instar larvae of Corcyra cephalonica (Staint.). The observations revealed that 3.50% dose level of neem leaf caused 100% larval mortality indicating absolute toxicity to the pest.

A field trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of biopesticides and neem products to control the field infestation of bruchids in Dolichos lablab. The fieldbean (cultivar HA3) seeds were sown in Randomized complete block design with eight treatments viz., Two Bt formulations (Halt& Dipel ), Pseudomonas sp., Neem oil, Neem seed kernel extract, Malathion and Spinosad with four replications. The 1st spray was given at the time of 60 percent formation of buds and flowers and the subsequent spray was given with an interval of 15days. The study revealed that spraying of NSKE (5%) resulted in good control of pulse beetle under field conditions. The mean per cent pod damage was significantly different between the treatments. NSKE (5%) recorded the lowest pod damage (4.64 %) when compared to Malathion (5.96%) and Spinosad (6.30%). However, they were significantly different from the others except Dipel (4.88%). Untreated control recorded highest pod damage (10.95%) followed by Pseudomonas sp. (8.88%). Significantly high yield was obtained in case of NSKE (12.19 q/ha) followed by Dipel (9.95 q/ha). However, lowest yield was in untreated control (7.55 q/ha).

Spore count is an important parameter in mass multiplication of entomopathogens including Trichoderma viride for quality analysis. In the present investigation, it has been found that optical density (OD) is an easy and reliable method as compared to haemocytometer count (HC) reading. A positive correlation between T. viride concentration (0.05 to 0.5%) and OD had been found in proportional to HC count at seventh day and increased at 10th day after inoculation on sugarcane juice medium (SJM). The spore count of T. viride can be determined at 550nm with spectrophotometer in place of haemocytometer by measuring optical density.

For long term storage of infective juveniles (IJs) of entomopathogenic nematode, Heterorhabditis indica were formulated in sodium alginate gel capsule and tested in vitro at four different temperatures (10, 15, 20 and 28 ± 1.72° C) and at 85% relative humidity. The experimental results showed that the survival of Heterorhabditis indica was higher at refrigerated condition (10ÚC) up to a density of 1,000 IJs per capsule and 90 days of storage followed by storage at 15° C. EPNs stored at room temperature (28.54 ± 1.72° C) in the capsules were all dead after two months of storage.