M.K. MAI I LA , HEMANT SWAMI , DEEPAK JAIN AND VIRENDRA SINGH

Aqueous extracts of six botanicals viz., Azadirachta indica (L) A. Juss leaf (5%), A. indica oil (2%), A. indica kernel (5%), Pongamia glabara leaf (5%), garlic (5%) and chilli (5%) were evaluated against the pomegranate aphid during kharif 2012 and 2013 at a farmer's orchard under the KVK, Bhilwara during two successive years 2012-13 and 2013-14. The data on mean per cent reduction of aphid population in all treatments during two seasons revealed that except chilli extract (5%), all the treatments recorded significant reduction in aphid population over control. The A. indica kernel extract (5%) recorded maximum reduction in aphid population from 63.45 to 92.48 and 63.87 to 93.02 per cent during kharif 2012 and 2013, respectively. The lowest reduction in aphid population ranged from 48.25 to 65.65 and 48.45 to 66.29 per cent due to application of chilli extract (5%) in both years. The highest respective marketable Suit yield of 37.80 and 36.10 q/ha was recorded for the treatment with A. indica kernel extract (5%) during both the years. Use of botanicals proved to be an effective measure to manage the sucking pest problems in pomegranate.