Appraisal of Plant Extracts and Chemical Control against Whitefly Bemisia Tabaci, (Genn) and Its Effect on Associated Natural Enemies in Round Chili

Abstract

Experiment was carried out in Rabi season during 2019 at district Swat to evaluate the efficacy of some plant extracts and chemicals against whitefly Bemisia tabaci, (Genn) along with its effect on natural enemies in Chili crop. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with 7 treatments and control, replicated 3 times. The plant extracts and chemicals used were Garlic bulb, Tobacco dry leaf, Chinaberry dry fruits, Neem seed, Ulala (Flanicamid 50% WG), Acetamiprid 20 SP and Imidacloprid 25% WP respectively. Overall mean density and mean percent reduction of white fly was recorded after 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 days interval of spray applications. Lowest mean density and highest percent reduction was recorded in plot treated with Flanicamid 0.98(87.6) followed by Imidacloprid, Acetamiprid, Tobacco, Chinaberry, Neem seed and Garlic (1.13(82.6), 1.15(82), 1.18(80.6), 1.36(75.2), 1.54(70.4) and 2.33(42.8) respectively while the highest mean density was recorded in untreated plot (3.15). The highest mean density of lady bird beetle was observed in a control plot (2.96) and followed by Garlic extract (1.84) while the lowest mean density was recorded in plot treated with Imidacloprid and Acetamiprid (1.10 and 1.08) which was statistically non-significant. Highest mean percent population of green lacewing was recorded in control plot (2.08) followed by Garlic (1.79) while the lowest population were observed in Acetamiprid (0.85) which was statistically non-significant to Flanicamid (0.89) and Imidacloprid (0.91). Maximum yield was observed in plot treated with Flanicamid (5456.7), followed by Imidacloprid (4039.7) and Acetamiprid (4022.3) was statistically non-significant while minimum was recorded in control (2066.7). Highest cost benefit ratios were recorded in plot treated with Flanicamid (11.23) followed by Imidacloprid (7.51) while the lowest was recorded in plot treated with tobacco (4.64). All the chemicals and plant extracts reduce the population of whitefly. Flanicamid 50 WG give highest yield and cost benefit ratio compare to the rest of chemicals and plant extracts applied.