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Abstract
Suitable alternatives are necessary to overcome the residue problems caused by chemical insecticides, especially in short duration crops like amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus L.), where lengthy waiting periods between treatment and harvest are not practical. Field trials were conducted to evaluate the potency of botanicals on the amaranth leaf caterpillar (Hymenia recurvalis Fabricius) during two growing seasons in 2008. The extract from Cleistanthus collinus (Roxb.) Benth. was more efficacious than were extracts of Cleome viscose L.; Gynandropsis pentaphylla DC; Andrographis paniculata Nees., a commercial formulation of neem; and the insecticide endosulfan. Two applications with an extract of C. collinus, with a 7-day application interval, reduced populations of H. recurvalis. In both seasons application with the C. collinus extract was found to provide higher yields (7.60 and 6.72 bundles/m2) and higher cost–benefit ratios (1:1.29 and 1:1.14).
The authors thank Mr. Saravanan, a farmer in Sivapuri, for his cooperation in conducting field experiments.