Abstract: Indiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides for insect pest management has resulted in many harmful effects like, insect resistance, effects on the beneficial organisms etc. There is a need to use alternative methods for insect pest control to reduce the frequency of insecticides utilized for pest management. Furthermore, there is now more emphasis on the ban of endosulfan due to its relatively higher toxicity to non-target organisms. Series of experiments were conducted to find out the synergistic activity of a neem oil formulation with endosulfan against Spodoptera litura. Antifeedant activity and effect on detoxifying enzyme activities, viz., esterase and Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) were studied. Antifeedant activity was studied by no-choice method using castor leaf discs. Esterase and GST activities were estimated spectrophotometrically. Antifeedant activity was significantly greater (85.34%) in neem oil formulation+endosulfan (endosulfan 0.01% and neem oil formulation 1% at 1:1 ratio) treatment than in individual treatments. Esterase activity was significantly lower and GST activity slightly higher in neem oil formulation+endosulfan (endosulfan 0.01% and neem oil formulation 1% at 1:1 ratio) treatment. A considerable influence of the combined treatment was observed on esterase and GST activities. Present study reveals that using little amounts of synthetic insecticides along with neem oil could be effective in controlling insect pests. Therefore, this neem oil formulation could be used as a synergist with endosulfan to reduce the quantity of synthetic insecticides for insect pest control.
19 August, 2011
Shabeer Ahmad: Dear Sir,
Greetings!
This is a nice paper as it will have application in reducing the quantity of harmful synthetic insecticides. Many such works should be carried out.
Congrats and thank you.
Regards
Shabeer Ahmad
