^*Ajaya S.R. Bajracharya², Sharmila Piya³, RN Chaudhary⁴ and Dhanik L. Mandal⁵
 

Abstract

Effectiveness of four botanicals and four chemical insecticides for the control of Diamond back moth (Plutella xylostella L.), Cabbage butterfly (Pieris brassicae L.) and Cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) on March-May cauliflower was evaluated at ARS, Pakhribas (1750 masl) during 2011 and 2012. Plants of "Snow Crown" variety of cauliflower were sprayed twice fortnightly after 20 days of planting in the main field with Commercial azadirachtin formulation (0.003%), Aqueous Melia azedarach leaf extract, Aqueous tobacco extract + soap, Aqueous solution of Acorus calamus rhizome powder, Cypermethrin 0.025%, Malathion 0.05%, Endosulfan 0.15% and Dichlorvos 0.07%. Each treatment was replicated four times along with control. Pest scoring was done twice after spraying. Endosulfan 0.15%, Malathion 0.05% and Aqueous tobacco extract + soap were found superior among all the insecticides to control the Diamond back moth. All four chemical insecticides including Commercial azadirachtin formulation (0.003%) and Aqueous tobacco extract + soap were equally effective in controlling Cabbage butterfly. Aqueous Melia azedarach leaf extract was found ineffective to control both Diamond back moth and Cabbage butterfly during both years. All the botanicals as well as chemical insecticides were significantly effective in reducing Cabbage aphid population; however, Endosulfan 0.15% and Aqueous tobacco extract + soap were superior. Endosulfan treated plots yielded the highest biomass of more than 22.25 kg in both the years.

Keywords: DBM, Cabbage butterflys, Cabbage aphid