Comparative efficacy of different botanicals for controlling white stem borer, Scirpophaga innotata (Walker) under field conditions
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Abstract
Rice is one of the most important staple foods in the human diet and one of the most extended cereal crops. Management of white stem borer of rice has relied on the use of synthetic insecticides but has been ineffective due to the cryptic nature of the attack, disruption of the environment, and unaffordability to purchase insecticides by small-scale farmers. Among the various natural control methods, botanical extracts have received considerable This study was therefore aimed at evaluating the efficacy of botanical extracts in controlling rice stem borers under field conditions. In the present study, extracts were used in the rice field to determine their performance regarding the control and mitigation of the white stem borer in rice. The spraying took place at intervals of 30, 60, and 90 days following the transplanting. (DAT), The results revealed that Padan 4 g was found effective with dead heart infestation (4.25), followed by Neem (5.04), Booh (6.04) at 30 DAT with a reduction in dead heart infestation (77.93%), (74.32%) and (68.65%) respectively for the year 2018. While Padan 4 g was also effective (8.4%) followed by neem leaf extract (10.09) and Booh (11.56), with percent dead heart infestation and with reduction in dead heart infestation, Padan 4G (63.7%), neem leaf extract (55.17%) and Booh (55.17%) at 60 DAT, while at 90 DAT, neem leaf extract was found better in reducing dead heart infestation (6.8%), followed by Padan 4G (8.45%) and Booh (9.76%) respectively over control, neem leaf extract (71.54%) followed by Booh (58%) and Padan (56.27%). Extract treatment causes a significant reduction in infestation. Among the botanicals, the neem leaf extract was more effective against Rice's white stem borer. The study, therefore, indicated the possibility of controlling white stem borers using botanical extracts.
Keywords: Botanical extracts; Booh; Field; Reduction Percentage; Rice; White stem borer