EFFICACY OF BOTANICAL EXTRACTS AND A CHEMICAL PESTICIDE AGAINST TOMATO FRUIT WORM, HELICOVERPA ARMIGERA

Investigations on the effect of extracts of different botanicals i.e. neem seed extract (2.5%), turmeric extract (5%), henge extract (1.25%), garlic extract (5%) and insecticide (emamectin benzoate) (0.07%) on tomato fruit worm, Helicoverpa armigera, were carried out at New Developmental Farm of the The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan during, 2011. Minimum number of larvae plant^-1 of H. armigera (0.40 and 0.46) was recorded in neem seed extract and emamectin benzoate and maximum number of 1.00 larvae plant^-1 was recorded in control. Number of fruit damage was minimum (10.2%) in emamectin benzoate (0.07%) but it was highest (19.5%) in control. Maximum yield (7540 kg ha^-1) was recorded in neem seed extract (2.5%) and percent infestation of larvae of tomato fruit worm was minimum (0.40) in emamectin benzoate whereas maximum (1.00) in control plot. Based on total yield and lower toxicity to the environment as well as human being neem seed extract is the most promising insecticide for the effective management of tomato fruit worm larvae. Garlic, turmeric and henge extracts proved ineffective in control of H. Armigera.