Effects OF SOWING DATE AND BIOPEST ICIDE ON DENSITY of WHITE GRUB HOLOTRICHIA SERRATA IN A TEAK NURSERY

White grub Holotrichia serrata is the most destructive pest in teak nurseries in Madhya Pradesh, India. The grubs feed on roots of seedlings and cause severe damage to the entire root system. Field trials were conducted in teak nursery at Kanchangaon, Madhya Pradesh, India. The effects of different dates of sowing of teak seeds and efficacy of biopesticides, viz. neem (Azadirachta indica), mahua (Madhuca indica), karanj (Pongamia pinnata) and jatropa (Jatropha curcas) were studied on white grubs in teak nursery. Significant difference existed between the population of grubs and per cent of damaged seedlings. Damage was minimum at sowing date 11 March 2007, followed by 7 April. The maximum number of healthy seedlings was obtained in the seedlings sown in March followed by April. Neem at 5 kg per bed (size 10 × 1 m), followed by jatropha cake was found to be statistically significant over untreated control, minimising seedling damage due to white grub. In the integrated pest management against white grub, early sowing of teak seeds and application of biopesticide cakes are recommended instead of toxic pesticides in teak nurseries.