Journal of Environmental Biology

Management of mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi) on rapeseed mustard (Brassica napus) using biopesticides under organic farming conditions

S. Singh*¹, G. Singh² and R. Singh³

¹School of Organic Farming, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India

²Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India

³Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India

Received: 10 April 2024                   Revised: 28 June 2024                   Accepted: 26 July 2024

*Corresponding Author Email : subashsingh@pau.edu                        *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6965-4377

Abstract

Aim: To manage mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi Kalt on rapeseed-mustard through neem formulations, which are the safest, eco-friendly and cost effective and can hold promise to keep this pest below economic threshold levels.

Methodology: The neem formulations, AZA5% @ 30,40,50 and100ml per acre, AZA1% @ 200, 250 and 300 ml per acre and AZA 0.15% @ 800, 900 and 1000 ml per acre were evaluated against L. erysimi on rapeseed- mustard under organic farming conditions at Organic Research Area of School of Organic Farming, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2020-21 and 2021-22.

Results: A highest efficacy against L. erysimi with 83 and 84.99% treated over untreated control plots was recorded with AZA 5% @100 ml per acre at 5 days of spray during both years of study, followed by AZA 1% @ 300 ml per acre (61.84%) and AZA 0.15% @ 1000 ml per acre (59.33%). The coccinellid population at 10 days after spray was non-significant (0.03 to 0.21), but numerically more in untreated control plots. The highest seed yield was recorded in AZA 5% @ 100 ml (18.38 q ha^-1), AZA1% @ 300 ml (16.70q ha^-1) and AZA 0.15% @ 1000 ml (15.75 q ha^-1) over untreated control plots (13.91q ha^-1). The highest economic returns were obtained with AZA 5% @ 100ml (Rs.22408.72 ha^-1), AZA 1% @ 300ml (Rs.16424.22 ha^-1) and AZA 0.15% @ 1000ml (Rs.10285.68 ha^-1) treatment, respectively.

Interpretation: Management of L. erysimi on rapeseed mustard can be obtained with AZA 5% @ 100 ml, which caused 84 per cent reduction over control at 5 days after spray and also gave net returns of Rs.22408.72q ha^-1, which will not only increase the farm income but is eco-friendly in nature.

Key words: Azadirachtin, Biopesticide, Lipaphis erysimi, Organic farming, Rapeseed- mustard

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