Performance of neem seed kernel extract with reduced insecticidal dosage on the infestation of okra fruit borer, Earias vittella Fab.

Neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) was evaluated along with the reduced doses of three recommended insecticides, viz., endosulfan, monocrotophos and malathion against the fruit borer (Earias vittella Fab.) infesting okra crop during summer 1993. Among the fourteen treatments, application of endosulfan 0.06% was the most effective treatment. It was followed by other treatments, viz., NSKE 5% + 3/4 dose of endosulfan (0.045), monocrotophos 0.5%, NSKE + 112 dose of endosulfan (0.03%), and NSKE + 314 dose of monocrotophos (0.037%) which recorded 14.83, 16.09, 18.13 and 18.16 per cent fruit infestation, respectively. Neither 5% NSKE alone nor its combinations particularly with 1/2 dose of each of malathion and monocrotophos showed desirable effect against the okra fruit borer. However, all the treatments including application of NSKE were significantly superior over control.