Use of Neem Products in Groundnut Pest Management in India

Article

Use of Neem products in groundnut pest management in India

V Nandagopal* and M P Ghewande National Research Centre for Groundnut, ICAR Post Box 5, Ivnagar Road, Junagadh - 362 001, Gujarat * Correspondent author, E-mail: [email protected] Research Centre for Groundnut (NRCG), Abstract Junagadh since 1986 with a view to develop low cost plant protection Indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides in the groundnut ecosystem technology. lead to killing of useful organisms, contamination in the food chain, pollution in the air and water. Though neem is indigenous to India, has been in limited use in Neem as insecticide the agricultural ecosystem. The potential of the neem as pesticides has been verified in groundnut crop by few researchers in India. The mortality of jassids, The insect pests of groundnut can aphids, leaf miner in groundnut, action on hairy caterpillars are reported in be categorized into: (a) those pests literature. The negative aspects of neem as pesticides have also been reported. attacking underground parts (White grub: Integrated pest management includes a judicious blend of a multi-pronged Holotrichia consanguinea (Blanch) approach either reducing the incidence or delaying the build up of the intensity and (b) those attacking aerial parts, viz. of insect complex. So far, the work done in groundnut ecosystem has been reviewed Leaf miner (Aproaerema modicella in this article. Dev.), Tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera Keywords: Neem, pesticide, leaf miner, jassid, aphid, early leaf spot, late leaf litura (F), Gram pod borer spot, IPM. [Helicoverpa (=Heliothis) armigera Hb)], Jassid (Balclutha IPC code; Int.cl.7⎯ A01N65/00 hortensis Lindb.), Thrips (Caliothrips indicus K.) and Aphids (Aphis Introduction serious health hazards to human-being craccivora Koch). and animals, development of resistance to Aqueous extracts of neem leaf, In recent years groundnut pesticides in some insect pests and disease bark and seed, neem oil and neem-based productivity in India has shown some causing agents and destruction of formulations have been tested under upward trend, but, still remains much beneficial insects like parasites and laboratory insectary and field conditions below the average productivity of leading predators and pesticide residues. Growing for the reaction and management of major groundnut producing countries in the awareness of the environment has made pests of groundnut. The neem based world. The low groundnut productivity is it imperative to search for alternatives to components of the IPM found promising attributed to several production the synthetic chemicals. Since the ancient under the laboratory and insectary constraints. Biotic factors such as insects times, leaves, bark, fruit and seed of neem, conditions were also studied in 1 and diseases play an important role in Azadirachta indica A. Juss. have been combination with synthetic insecticides, affecting the productivity and quality. known for insecticidal and anti-microbial trap crops and plant products under field Use of chemical pesticides for activities. Efforts have been made to use condition. Besides, experiments were also controlling insects and diseases has led neem products for the management of conducted on the efficacy of neem to several environmental problems, groundnut insect pests at National products singly and in combination with

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not affect the fecundity, pre-oviposition, with the recommended pesticides and oviposition and life cycle of the aphid as a their compatibility among them and on the whole. groundnut were investigated. Various The mortality of aphid varied concentrations of crude neem oil either significantly with various concentrations alone or blended with synthetic pesticides of crude neem oil; higher concentrations were used at vegetative, pegging and crop (2% and 5%) caused quick mortality. maturity. Crude neem oil at 2% and in Fig.1 : Crude neem oil-Dimethoate Complete mortality of both nymphs and combination with Phosphomidon, sprayed plants adults occurred after 6-7 hr of exposure Endosulfan, Carbendazim or with other components. When 2% crude neem to the lowest concentration (0.2%) of Mancozeb did not cause phytotoxicity to oil was sprayed on the groundnut plants crude neem oil. groundnut foliage. However, more than there was dark foliages compared to the Of the 16 jassid spp., only two, 2% concentration of neem oil showed plants sprayed with crude neem oil mixed namely Empoasca kerri and B. phytotoxic effect. Hence, crude neem oil with 0.04% Dimethoate (Fig.1). At NRCG hortensis are most harmful to the crops (2%) blended with compatible synthetic various studies conducted on the role of and are a major constituent of the jassid pesticides may be used in the groundnut neem derivatives in the management of complex in Saurashtra, Gujarat. The ecosystem. major pests by various methods have been jassids cause yield loss of about 584 kg/ Among the various plant summarized below: ha (Anon, 1988). The investigations products, use of crude neem oil and neem carried out on the biology, feeding, seed extract was found to be encouraging Ovicidal activity oviposition in laboratory conditions either alone or in blending with showed that neem oil, neem leaf extract Endosulfan (0.04%) or Phosphomidon Among the defoliating insects of and neem leaf decoction at 5% (0.02%) in the management of insects in groundnut, the damage due to Groundnut concentration gave 87 to 91% cumulative groundnut. The 5% neem seed extract + leaf miner (A. modicella) results in pod mortality over 48 hr of exposure of the 0.025 % Phosphomidon had lowest (1.55 loss ranging from 23 to 89%. Neem-based jassid, B.hortensis (Nandagopal et al, %) intensity of leaf miner when compared insecticides namely, Jawan and Margoside 1990). to control (16.9 %), followed by 2% crude OK and CK were compared with crude neem oil and gave maximum pod yield of neem oil or its blending with Hostathion. Neem as communication 2068 kg/ha. While, crude neem oil 2% + The immediate toxicity of crude neem oil disruption Dimethoate 0.04% although gave pod yield at lowest concentration of 2% either alone of 1404 kg/ha, but caused yellowing and or with Hostathion deterred 100 % When crude neem oil was scorching of foliage in groundnut, hence, oviposition of leaf miner and the residual sprayed on the groundnut crop leaving 1 does not appear to be practical utility in toxicity persisted up to 15 days. m2 area at the centre of the total of 25 m2 the groundnut ecosystem. Similar area and placed the trap with virgin female observations were also made in the Feeding deterrent prevented attraction of males by the virgin insectary study. female by 100% for 24 hr, however, after Neither crude neem oil nor neem 24 hr, the effect of neem oil was reduced Integrated Pest Management seed extract at 2% concentration, when slowly. (IPM) sprayed on groundnut seedlings affected the biology of the groundnut aphids Neem with synthetic pesticides Various components of IPM such (A. craccivora ), but, it prolonged the as, plant products, trap crops, duration of second instar of the insect To rationalise the use of synthetic pheromones and mixture of insecticides from 3 to 5.5 days. Crude neem oil did pesticides, neem derivatives were mixed with neem oil were studied under field

Natural Product Radiance Vol 3(3) May-June 2004 151 Article conditions during rainy seasons of 1990 (c) Planting pattern: Sown groundnut leaf miner and at 90 cm for other two and 1991. Pheromones, trap crops and and soybean (susceptible variety), pests. 2% crude neem oil mixed with synthetic crop in a row ratio of 3:1 (equidistant insecticides 0.02% Phosphomidon or row spacing of 45cm, and plant to Neem as fungicide 0.04% Endosulfan were tried either alone plant spacing 10 cm) followed by or in suitable combinations. The pesticide three rows of bajra around the field Several fungal, viral and mixture 2% crude neem oil + 0.04% and one row of castor at 1m spacing nematode pathogens attack foliar and Endosulfan + 0.02% Phosphomidon was between plants. underground plant parts of groundnut. sprayed on main crop, trap crop or on The major foliar fungal pathogen diseases (d) Spray schedule (need based): both in the presence of trap crops and include Early leaf spot (Cercospora First spray of insecticide mixture be pheromone. The jassids, leaf miners and arachidicola Hori), Late leaf spot done at 30-35 days after sowing to thrips populations were drastically [Phaeoisariopsis personata (Berk & protect the crop from sucking pests suppressed throughout the growth period Curt) V.Arxm], Rust (Puccinia (jassid, thrips and Ist brood of leaf when insecticides mixture including neem arachidis Speg.), Alternaria leaf spot miner) and to take care of stray oil were sprayed. The role of neem based (Alternaria alternata Keissler), and incidence of tobacco caterpillar insecticides mixture proved efficient in the Alternaria (Alternaria tenuissima). (Spodoptera litura) and gram pod management of these pests. The trap crops Soil-borne pathogens include Collar rot borer (Helicoverpa armigera). were also useful in trapping the insects as (Aspergillus niger Van Tieghem), The second and third sprays are given they lowered the pest population in Crown rot/Seedling blight at 45-50 and 60-65 days of crop groundnut, considerably. The judicious [A. pulverulentus (McAlp) Thom], growth to take care of sucking pests integration of these IPM components may Stem rot/Sclerotium wilt (Sclerotium and second and third broods of leaf solve the insect pests menace on rolfsii Sacc.), and Dry wilt/Dry root rot miner and other defoliators, groundnut without causing undesirable [Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) respectively. atmospheric pollution. Following IPM Goid.]. model was developed. (e) Pheromones: The pheromone traps Among the foliar fungal diseases, @ 8/ha, respectively for mass early leaf spot (ELS), late leaf spot (LLS) Target insects trapping the male moths of leaf miner, and rust cause severe yield losses ranging tobacco caterpillar (Fig. 2) and gram from 10 to over 50 per cent. The chemical Aphid (A. craccivora), Jassid pod borer be placed randomly at a control of foliar diseases of groundnut (B. hortensis), Thrips (C. indicus) height of 45 cm from ground level for through the spray of Carbendazim and Leaf miner (A. modicella). 0.05% + Mencozeb 0.2% is effective but expensive. As an alternative, 5% aqueous neem leaf extract was tried at the Components of IPM National Research Centre for Groundnut, Junagadh to control foliar diseases during (a) Trap crops: Soybean as an intercrop; rainy seasons. The effect of neem leaf bajra as a barrier crop and castor as extract on growth, seed infection and a border crop around the field. Three colonization of Alternaria species rows of bajra as a barrier crop around was also studied under laboratory the field border followed by one row condition. The main objective of using of castor. aqueous neem leaf extract was to generate (b) Insecticides mixture: 2% crude information and develop low cost neem oil. Fig. 2 : Pheromones traps protection technology within the reach

152 Natural Product Radiance Vol 3(3) May-June 2004 Article of groundnut growing small and Table 1 : Growth of Alternaria species in aqueous neem leaf marginal farmers of the country extract at 28 ± 1° C after 10 days (Ghewande et al, 1997). The aqueous neem leaf extract of Aqueous neem Mycelia growth in g/l 2% during rainy seasons of 1985 and 1986 leaf extract (%) and 5% during kharif 1989 and 1990 was A. alternata A. tenuissima A. raphani sprayed 3 times at 2 week intervals starting 1 0.24 0.23 0.40 from 4 to 5 weeks after planting. 2 0.26 0.40 0.48 The mean data showed that the 3 0.44 0.80 0.66 spray application of 2% aqueous neem leaf 4 0.75 0.81 0.63 extract reduced early leaf spot (ELS) by 13.6% (mean of 1989 and1990), late leaf 5 1.18 1.40 0.87 spot (LLS) by 22.2% (mean of 4 years, Control (Glucose 5.55 4.32 5.28 1985,1986,1989 and 1990) and rust by nitrate medium) 30.6% (mean of 2 years 1985 and 1986) S. Em ± 0.18 0.12 0.10 and increased pod yield by 26.1% (mean C.D. (P=0.05) 0.53 0.36 0.28 of 4 years) over control with an additional C.V. 21.83 15.48 12.46 pod yield of 279 kg/ha with a net return Source: Ghewande et al, 1993 of Rs.5906. The growth of Alternaria alternata, A. tenuissima and A. Table 2 : Effect of aqueous neem leaf extract and raphani causing leaf spot, leaf blight and colonization by Alternaria species leaf blotch of groundnut was reduced by 77.8 to 95.7, 70 to 95 % and 88.5 to Aqueous Mean seed infection (%) Mean seed colonisation (%) 92.4%, respectively with 1 to 5% aqueous neem neem leaf extract (Table 1). The aqueous leaf A. A. A. A. A. A. neem leaf extract (1-5%) also inhibited extract % alternata tenuissima raphani alternata tenuissima raphani seed infection by 41.2 to 100% and seed colonization by 20 to 100 % of groundnut 1 33.33 13.33 26.66 13.33 0.00 10.00 by these fungi under laboratory conditions 2 16.67 6.67 10.00 6.67 0.00 3.33 (Table 2). 3 13.33 0.00 6.66 3.33 0.00 3.33 Holistic Integrated Pest 4 6.67 0.00 3.33 0.00 0.00 0.00 Management (HIPM) 5 3.33 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Control 56.67 43.33 26.66 16.66 6.67 0.40 After four consecutive (sterilised experimentation in entomological, distilled pathological and weed management by the water) concerned scientists, a Holistic IPM was S. Em ± 10.75 6.57 9.05 7.20 2.51 5.74 tested for three rainy seasons of C.D. ns 19.76 ns ns 7.54 ns 1994,1995 and 1996 combining all the (P=0.05) feasible components of the IPM. Source: Ghewande et al, 1993

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Components of HIPM crude neem oil in teepol (for borne pathogens and defoliators both foliar fungal and sucking like Spodoptera, leaf miner and 1. Seed treatment: Seed treatment pests). sucking insects such as jassids, with Trichoderma viridae 4g/kg of (f) Weeding: Interculturing and aphids and thrips. seeds for seed borne fungi. hand weeding/ line weeding. (iii) Barrier and trap crops should preferably be included in the 2. Cultural practices: The results indicated that the pest cropping system for sustainability (a) Soil amendments with castor cake or population were reduced to below ETL and compensation for losses in the mustard cake or neem cake @ 1000 and the pod yields were significantly main crop. kg/ha (preferably 15 days before higher during all the three years sowing) for soil borne diseases like experimentations. stem rot and collar rot. Conclusion (b) Intercropping of groundnut with red Cost effectiveness gram/pearl millet/sorghum (3:1) Neem and its products could be depending upon the locally a economically viable alternative to The cost of neem based mixture synthetic pesticides and use of neem could recommended intercrops for foliar of insecticides was worked out to be Rs. fungal diseases. form a important component in IPM of 1185, Rs. 1065 and Rs. 660/ha in case of groundnut, and could be utilized on large (c) Use of trap crop such as cowpea/ crude neem oil, neem seed extract and scale under field conditions in the country. soybean/castor as border crop for neem leaf extract, respectively with The IPM module developed by sucking/defoliating insects. synthetic insecticides. This scheme gives the NRCG was also verified on farmers field the option for rich as well as poor farmers. (d) One hand weeding after the 15 each during Kharif 1999, 2000 and The rich farmers can spray the whole field application of pre-emerged weedicide 2001. Considering the added advantages while the poor farmers can manage even Flochloralin@ 1.5 kg a.i/ha. of IPM technology which gave control of one third of the expenditure by spraying 3. Biological control: Use of major insect pests ranging from 24-46% only the trap crops. commercially available preparations and diseases from 28-48% and average of Trichoderma sp. for the control increased in yield by 19%, and highest Recommendations to the of stem rot and seed rot. gross monetary return of Rs. 52000/ha as farmers (a) Seed treatment @ 4g/kg seed. against farmers’ practice of Rs. 36099/ha. However, future areas of research (b) Soil application @ 25 to 62.5 kg/ Based on the review of literature include: (i) generation of more ha. and the experiments conducted at the information on the effects of neem (c) Application of B.T. (Bacillus NRCG the following recommendations can products on insect physiology and thuringiensis @ 300-500 g/ be made to the farmers. reproduction of insects and inhibitory ha) for Spodoptera and (i) Neem-based formulations at lower effects of neem on the diseases of Helicoverpa (between 45-60 concentrations are compatible with groundnut, (ii) multi-location testing of days). the commonly used chemical the findings and demonstrating the IPM (d) Use of pheromone traps for pesticides. package with neem products as major Spodoptera (10 per ha), (ii) Aqueous extract of neem leaf, seed components to the farmers, and (iii) Helicoverpa (10 per ha) and and oil (2%) in teepol may be used evaluation of the spectra activity of the leaf miner (25 per ha). for the management of foliar species of neem from different agro- (e) Need based application of diseases like leaf spots, rust, ecological zones of India for their efficacy chemicals e.g. foliar spray of 2% Alternaria diseases and seed against insects and diseases.

154 Natural Product Radiance Vol 3(3) May-June 2004 Article References 7. Jacobson M, The neem tree: natural 14. Rao PT and Subramaniyan B, Effect resistance par excellence. In Natural of azadirachtin on Achaea janata 1. Anonymous, Annual Report, National Resistance of Plants to Insects: Role Linn. and Spodoptera litura F. Research Centre for Groundnut, of Allelochemicals (eds. M.B. Green, (Noctuidae:Lepidoptera), J Junagadh, Gujarat, 1988, 75 pp. and P.A.Hedin). American Chemical Entomol Res, 1987, 11, 166-169. 2. Chandramohan N and Sivaprakasam Society Symposium Series, 296, 15. Saxena RC, Insecticides from neem. P, Evaluation of neem products against 1986, 220-223, ACS, Washington, In: Insecticides of Plant Origin (eds. leaf miner Aproaerema modicella DC. J T Arnasan, J R Philogene and P Dev., Neem Newslett, 1987, 4, 44. 8. Jotwani MG and Srivastav KP, Neem Morand), American Chemical Society 3. Ghewande MP, Management of major insecticide of the future II. Reaction Symposium Series, 387, 1989, foliar fungal diseases of groundnut against field pests, Pesticides, 1981, 110-135, ACS, Washington, DC. (Arachis hypogaea L.) using 15, 42-47. 16. Schmutterer H, Properties and aqueous neem leaf extract of neem 9. Koul O, Azadiractin interaction with potential of natural pesticide from the (Azadirachta indica A. Juss). In development of Spodoptera litura neem tree Azadirachta indica, Neem for the Management of Crop F., Indian J Exp Biol, 1968, 23, Annual Rev Entomol, 1990, 35, Diseases (ed. V. Mariappan) 160-163. 271-297. Associated Publishing Company, New 10. Nandagopal V, Studies on integrated 17. Schmutterer H, Saxena RC and Delhi, India, 1995, pp. 37-42. pest management in groundnut in VonderHeyde J, Morphogenetic 4. Ghewande MP, Desai S, Prem Narayan Saurashtra. Ph.D. thesis, Saurashtra effects of partially purified fractions and Ingle AP, Integrated management University, Rajkot, India, 1992, 246. and methanolic extracts of neem of foliar diseases of groundnut 11. Nandagopal V, Jaroli RK, Ramkumar seeds on the Mythimna seperata (Arachis hypogaea L.) in India, and Reddy P S, Neem products: (Walker) and Cnaphalocrosis Int J Pest Management, 1993, 39, possible insecticide on the groundnut medinalis (Guenee), Zeitschrift 375-378. jassid Balclutha hortensis Lindb., fuer Zoologie und angewandte 5. Ghewande MP, Nandagopal V and Int Arachis Newslett, 1990, 8, 22. Entomologie, 1983, 95, 230-237. Desai S, Insect Pest and diseases 12. Patel HK, Neem seed suspension – A 18. Wightman JA and Amin PW, management using neem and their sure deterrent to hairy caterpillar Groundnut pests and their control in products in groundnut. In IPM Series Amsacta moorei S, Madras the Semi-Arid Tropics, Trop Pest Ed: S.S. Narwal et al, Department of Agric J, 1968, 65, 509-510. Management, 1988, 4, 218-226. Agronomy, Punjab Agriculture 19. Zanno PR, Miura I, Nakanishi K and University, Punjab, 1997. 13. Rao DVR, Singh KN, Wightman JA and Rao GVR, Economic status of neem Elder DL, Structure of the insect 6. Gold CS, Wightman JA, and Pimpert cake mulch for termite control in phagorepellent azadirachtin, J Am M, Mulching effect on termite groundnut, Int Arachis Newslett, Chem Soc, 1975, 97 1975-1977. scarification of drying groundnut 1991, 9,12-13. pods, Int Arachis Newslett, 1989, 6, 22-23. Preparation of neem leaf extract The neem leaf extract can be used for nursery and kitchen gardens against leaf eating caterpillars, grubs, locusts and grasshoppers. For 5 litres of water, 1 kg of green neem leaf is required. The leaves are soaked overnight in water. The next day the leaves are grounds and the extract is filtered for use (http://www.neemfoundation.org/farming.htm).

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