Integrated Field Management of Aphids (myzus Persicae Sulz. and Aphis Gossypii Glov. Together) on Potato (solanum Tuberosum L.) Using Bio-pesticides

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is cultivated in India in a commercial scale and this crop is susceptible to various insect pests of which aphids (both Myzus persicae Sulzer and Aphis gossypii Glover) cause heavy damage especially by spreading virus diseases. Studies were made to evaluate efficacy of extracts from plants such as Pongamia pinnata L. and Nicotiana tabacum L. and Polygonum hydropiper, botanical insecticide such as azadirachtin (1500ppm), against aphids infesting potato crop under field conditions of the sub-Himalayan region of north-east India during the rabi season. Methanol was used as solvent for extracting from fruits of Pongamia and floral part of Polygonum and water for leaves of Nicotiana tabacum. Imidacloprid (Confidor 17.8 SL) was used as check. Three sprays at 10-day intervals were made, starting with the initiation of infestation. Total aphid numbers (nymphs and adults of both aphids together) per plant were counted at 4 and 9 days after treatment (DAT). Imidacloprid was found the most effective treatment for controlling aphid, followed by plant extract of Polygonum flower at 5 % concentration. From overall observation it was revealed that plant extract of Polygonum flower at 5 % concentration and tobacco leaf extract at 10 % concentration gave satisfactory result, recording more than 70 % and 65 % aphid suppression respectively. The botanical insecticide azadirachtin was also found very effective against aphid, achieving more than 60% suppression. Plant extracts and botanical insecticide are biopesticides having less or no hazardous effects on human health and the environment, and therefore, they can be incorporated in IPM programmes and organic farming.