M.Ramasubramanian and M.Manoharan

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*

*

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Market perception and market orientation are also found to be contributing to adoption of technologies. This indicated that if mango farmers are adequately the marketing personnel should devote more attention so that farmers could get remunerative prices for their produce. Government planning and policy making body should reorient their policies to encourage export of mango and it should assist in setting up of processing units and cold storage units. Contract farming system between farmers and exporters of fresh fruits should be encouraged and the extension efforts should be channelised in providing better expertise and education to the growers. ‘Fruit growers association’ may be encouraged based on

self help group concept so that the mango growers can reap mutual benefits. References Dahama, O.P. and O.P.Bhatnagar. (1985). Education and communication for development. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt Ltd., Calcutta. Murukanandam, V. (1998). Knowledge level and extent of adoption of rainfed critical technologies on groundnut : A critical analysis. Unpub. M.Sc.(Ag.) Thesis, AC & RI, TNAU, Madurai. Nirmaladevi, M. (1997). Developing a strategy for guava production. Unpub. M.Sc.(Ag.) Thesis, AC & RI, TNAU, Madurai.

(Received : May 2003; Revised : December 2004)

Madras Agric. J. 92 (4-6) : 358-363 April-June 2005 Research Notes

Effect of Cow-five (Panchakavya) on brinjal pests Epilachna vigintioctopunctata Fab. and Leucinodes orbonalis Guen. E. BELINA, P. M. M. DAVID AND M. A. K. PILLAI Department of Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam, Vallanad 628252, Tamil Nadu. Everything has a tradition and agriculture is no exception. Traditional agricultural systems are finely tuned and adapted, both biologically and socially, to counter the biotic stresses. A journey into the traditional literature would reveal that man has used many age-old practices to manage insect pests and diseases of livestock, crops and human beings. Panchakavya, called here Cow-five in English, is an indigenous compound, i.e., a fermented filtrate prepared by mixing cow dung, cow urine, cow’s milk, cow’s curd and cow’s ghee (Nayagam, 2001; Vasuthevan, 2003). It is considered a growth

stimulant that increases the yield of crops (Natarajan, 2003; Somasundaram et al. 2003; Selvaraj, 2004). It is claimed to possess insecticidal principles as well (Natarajan, 2003). Hence a study was taken up to evaluate the efficacy of Cow-five against the spotted leaf beetle, Epilachna vigintioctopuctata Fab. and the shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guen. in brinjal. Cow-five preparation involved the following steps. Half-a-kg of ghee (Aavin) was first added to 5 kg of fresh cow dung and mixed well

Effect of Cow-five (Panchakavya) on brinjal pests Epilachna vigintioctopunctata Fab. ...

359

Table 1. Effect of Cow-five on oviposition and grubs of E. vigintioctopunctata in brinjal Mean No. of egg mass/shoot Treatments

Mean No. of grubs/shoot

Spray 1

Spray 2

Spray 3

Mean

Cow-five 3% +

0.1 (0.8)

0.4 (1.0)

0.0 (0.7)

0.2 (0.8)

0.6 (1.0)ab

2.9 (1.8)ab

2.3 (1.7)bc

1.9 (1.6)b

Cow-five 3% soapnut solution 0.5%

0.1 (0.8)

0.3 (0.9)

0.0 (0.7)

0.1 (0.8)

0.5 (1.0)ab

2.5 (1.7)a

2.4 (1.7)bc

1.8 (1.5)ab

Soapnut solution 0.5%

0.1 (0.7)

0.5 (1.0)

0.0 (0.7)

0.2 (0.8)

0.4 (1.0)ab

2.6 (1.8)ab

2.1 (1.6)ab

1.7 (1.5)ab

Neem oil 3% + soapnut solution 0.5%

0.0 (0.7)

0.4 (0.9)

0.0 (0.7)

0.1 (0-8)

0.4 (0.9)a

2.4 (1.7)’

2.5 (1.7)bc

1.7 (1.5)ab

Cow -five 3% + neem Oil 3% + soapnut solution 0.5%

0.1 (0.7)

0.5 (1.0)

0.0 (0.7)

0.2 (0.8)

0.3 (0.9)a

2.5 (1.7)a

2.2 (1.6)ab

1.7 (1.5)ab

Endosulfan 0.07% (Endocel 35 EC)

0.1 (0.7)

0.3 (0.9)

0.0 (0.7)

0.1 (0.8)

0.4 (1.0)ab

2.1 (1.8)ab

1.9 (1.5)a

1.5 (1.4)a

Control

0.1 (0.8)

0.5 (1.0)

0.0 (0.7)

0.2 (0.8)

0.7 (l.l)b

3.1 (1.9)b

2.6 (1.8)c

2.2 (1.6)b

Mean

0.1 (0.8)

0.4 (0.9)

0.0 (0.7)

0.5 (1.0)

2.6 (1.8)

2.3 (1.7)

CD (P=0.05) 0.05NS 0.03" 0.09NS

SE 0.06 0.04 0.10

Treatments (T) Spray (S) Interaction (T x S)

SE 0.02 0.01 0.04

Spray 1 Spray 2

Spray 3 Mean

CD (P=0.05) 0.12 0.08 0.21 NS

Mean of four replications. Figures in the parentheses are square root + 0.5 transformed values. NS, Non-significant. **, Significant.

using a stick. This paste was kept in an airtight container for three days. Cow’s urine (3 litres), milk (2 litres), curd (2 litres) and water (5 litres) were added to this mixture on the fourth day and mixed well. This semisolid stock was stirred up twice a day and was allowed to

undergo fermentation in a shady place. Cowfive, which is a crude, semisolid, pale green mixture (Ca. 15 litres) was ready for use in 7-15 days. Addition of ghee on the first day sustained the preparation moist. The container was closed to prevent evaporation and to keep

E. Belina, P.M.M. David and M.A.K. Pillai

360

Table 2. Effect of Cow-five on pupae and adults of E. vigintioctopunctata in brinjal Mean No. pupae/shoot Treatments

Mean No. of adults/shoot

Spray 1

Spray 2

Spray 3

Mean

Cow-five 3% +

0.3 (0.9)

0.1 (0.6)

0.8 (1.3)

0.4 (0.9)

2.0 (1.6)b

0.6 (1.0)

2.0 1.5 (1.6)b (1.4)bc

Cow-five 3% soapnut solution 0.5%

0.4 (0.9)

0.1 (0.8)

0.7 (1.1)

0.4 (1.0)

1.7 (1.5)ab

0.7 (1.1)’

1.3 1.2 (1.4)8 (1.3)ab

Soapnut solution 0.5%

0.2 (0.8)

0.1 (0.8)

0.7 (1.1)

0.3 (0.9)

1.8 (1.5)ab

0.6 (l.l)a

2. 1.5 (1.6)b (1.4)bc

Neem oil 3% + soapnut solution 0.5%

0.3 (0.9)

0.1 (0.8)

0.6 (1.0)

0.3 (0.9)

1.9 (1.5)ab

0.5 (1.0)a

1.5 (1.3)a

1.3 (1.3)ab

Cow -five 3% + neem Oil 3% + soapnut solution 0.5%

0.3 (0.9)

0.1 (0.8)

0.5 (1.0)

0.3 (0.9)

1.8 (1.4)a

0.6 (1.0)a

1.9 (1.4)a

1.4 (1.3)ab

Endosulfan 0.07% (Endocel 35 EC)

0.2 (0.8)

0.1 (0.8)

0.3 (0.9)

0.2 (0.8)

1.5 (1.4)ab

0.5 (1.0)a

1.3 (1.3)a

1.1 (1.2)a

Control

0.6 (0.9)

0.1 (0.8)

1.0 (1.1)

0.6 (1.0)

2.0 (1.6)b

0.8 (l.l)a

2.8 (l.8)c

1.9 (l.5)c

Mean

0.3 (1.0)

0.1 (0.8)

0.9 (1.2)

1.8 (1.5)

0.6 (1.1)

1.8 (1.5)

CD (P=0.05) 0.1 2NS 0.08** 0.2*

SE 0.05 0.03 0.09

Treatments (T) Spray (S) Interaction (T x S)

SE 0.06 0.04 0.1

Spray 1 Spray 2

Spray 3 Mean

CD (P=0.05) 0.1 0.1 0.2NS

Mean of four replications. Figures in the parentheses are square root + 0.5 transformed values. NS, Non-significant. **, Significant.

the mixture in a semisolid crude state for about two months. A field trial was conducted in brinjal (KKM 1) planted in 3.7 x 3.7 m plots with a spacing of 60 x 45 cm. There were seven

treatments replicated three times in a randomized block design viz., Cow-five 3%; Cow-five 3% + soapnut solution 0.5%; soapnut solution 0.5%; neem oil 3% + soapnut solution 0.5%; Cowfive 3% + neem oil 3% + soapnut solution 0.5%; endosulfan (Endocel 35 EC) 0.07% and

Leaf damage (intensity grade) Treatments

Spray 1 Spray 2

Spray 3 Mean

Fruit damage

Damaged fruits (%)

Spray 1

Spray 2

Spray 3

Mean

Spray 1

Spray 2

Spray 3

Mean

Cow-five 3% +

2.8ab

2.6bc

2.7ab

2.7a

16.5 (20.6)

26.8 (30.8)

28.6 (28.3)

23.9 (26.5)

42.2 (40.5)

26.7 (31.1)

62.5 (52.2)

43.8 (41.4)

Cow-five 3% soapnut solution 0.5%

2.8a

2.4ab

2.8b

2.7ab

15.7 (17.2)

26.6 (30.9)

25.3 (29.4)

22.2 (25.8)

33.13 (35.1)

27.3 (31.5)

61.7 (51.8)

40.7 (39.6)

Soapnut solution 0.5%

2.9bd

2.7c

2.8b

2.8b

19.1 (22.6)

26.9 (29.0)

27.2 (31.3)

24.4 (27.6)

42.9 (40.9)

23.7 (29.1)

55.7 (48.3)

40.8 (39.6)

Neem oil 3% + soapnut solution 0.5%

2.9bd

2.5abc

2.8b

2.7a

25.0 (29.9)

23.4 (28.9)

26.2 (30.7)

24.9 (27.6)

33.8 (35.5)

27.7 (31.7)

59.5 (50.5)

40.3 (39.4)

Cow -five 3% + neem Oil 3% + soapnut solution 0.5%

3.0bd

2.6bc

2.8b

2.8b

23.1 (28.7)

31.6 (32.4)

29.9 (31.8)

28.2 (30.8)

36.5 (37.2)

21.6 (27.7)

54.1 (47.4)

37.4 (37.7)

Endosulfan 0.07% (Endocel 35 EC)

2.6a

2.3a

2.5a

2.5a

20.3 (25.8)

21.5 (27.4)

27.3 (27.5)

23.0 (26.1)

28.4 (32.2)

20.6 (27.0)

64.2 (53.2)

37.7 (37.9)

Control

3.1a

3.1d

3.6c

3.2d

26.9 (30.9)

34.1 (35.7)

29.7 (29.1)

30.2 (31.9)

37.2 (37.6)

39.1 (38.7)

63.9 (53.1)

46.7 (43.7)

Mean

2.9

2.6

2.8

20.9 (25.3)

27.4 (30.7)

27.7 (29.7)

36.3 (36.6)

26.7 (30.1)

60.2 (51.7)

Treatments (T) Spray (S) Interaction (T x S)

SE 0.1 0.1 0.17

CD (P=0.05) 0.2 0.1 0.3NS

SE 5.4 3.5 9.3

CD (P=0.05) 10.7NS 7.0NS 18.6NS

SE 4.5 2.9 7.8

Effect of Cow-five (Panchakavya) on brinjal pests Epilachna vigintioctopunctata Fab. ...

Table 3. Effect of low five against leaf and fruit damage in brinjal.

CD (P=0.05) 9.0NS 5.9** 15.6NS 361

Mean of four replications. In a column, means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at 5% level (CD), NS, Non-significant.

362

control (water). Three rounds of spray were given at 10 days interval starting from first flowering. Observations were made at weekly interval from five randomly selected plants in each plot. The number of egg masses, pupae, grubs and adults of E. vigintioctopunctata were recorded from 10 shoots, one each from 10 randomly selected plants. The intensity of damage to shoots due to E. vigintioctopunctata was assessed by adopting a 5-grade score as follows: -----------------------------------------------------Grade Intensity of scraping -----------------------------------------------------0 Nil (no scraping) 1 Low (Scraping at random) 3 Medium (Scraping in approximately half the leaf area) 5 High (more than half the leaf area showing scraping) -----------------------------------------------------The observations, repeated at 10 days interval, were taken from three leaves on 10 randomly selected plants per plot. Damage to the fruits caused by L. orbonalis and E. vigintioctopunctata was assessed in percentage by counting the total number of fruits and the affected ones on 5 plants selected at random. Statistically, there was no significant difference among the treatments when the number of eggs laid in batches by E. vigintioctopunctata was recorded from brinjal shoots (Table 1), although the rate of oviposition was significantly (P < 0.05) different between the sprays. However, though marginal, the grub density was significantly (P < 0.05) different between the treatments, which ranged from 1.5 to 2.2 per shoot (Table 1). Except for endosulfan 0.07%, all other treatments were on par with control, and except for Cow-five 3% alone, all were on par with endosulfan 0.07%. This indicates that Cowfive 3% alone had no effect on grubs but it was able to have a moderate level of effect in combination with soapnut solution. The pupae

E. Belina, P.M.M. David and M.A.K. Pillai

of E. vigintioctopunctata were also equally abundant in all experimental plots, including endosulfan 0.07% (Table 2). However, the density was low on endosulfan-treated plants (0.2/shoot), high on control plants (0.6/shoot), and moderate on other plants (0.3-0.4/shoot). Similar to larvae, the abundance of E. vigintioctopunctata adults also differed significantly (P < 0.05) between treatments (Table 2). Both Cow-five 3% and soapnut solution 0.5% were on par with control (1.4-1.5/shoot) as well as with other combinations, including neem oil 3% + soapnut solution 0.5% (1.3-1.4/shoot). The beetles were less abundant on the shoots treated with endosulfan 0.07% (1.1/leaf) Cow-five and soapnut were moderately effective only in combinations, being on par with endosulfan 0.07%. The intensity of damage to leaves caused by the feeding of E. vigintioctopunctata grubs and adults as a characteristic scraping ranged from 2.5 to 3.2 in the 5-grade score with significant (P < 0.05) difference observed between the treatments (Table 3). It was low to moderate in all treatments (2.5 - 2.8), compared to the moderate to high level in control (3.2). Although greater than that in endosulfan 0.07% treated foliage, Cow-five 3% was on par with endosulfan 0.07%, neem oil 3% + soapnut solution 0.5% and Cow-five 3% + soapnut solution 0.5%, since the damage intensity was the same in these treatments. The damage to brinjal fruits caused by E. vigintioctopunctata was not significantly different between any treatments, although less than that in control plots (Table 3). This indicated that none of them, including endosulfan 0.07%, was able to reduce the overall damage intensity due to E. vigintioctopunctata Cow-five, soapnut, neem oil, and endosulfan were not able to control L. orbonalis in the field as there was no significant difference among the treatments (Table 3).

Effect of Cow-five (Panchakavya) on brinjal pests Epilachna vigintioctopunctata Fab. ...

The results revealed that no treatment was able to reduce the egg laying by E. vigintioctopunctata adults, including endosulfan 0.07%. However, Cow-five 3% + soapnut solution 0.5% was moderately effective in reducing E. vigintioctopunctata grub population significantly. It is probable that Cow-five might have acted as an antifeedant due to the interaction between the microflora and Cow-five on the phyllophane or leaf surface, which is a habitat of microorganisms, i.e., pathogenic, symbiotic, or saprophytic, acting in many ways (Holloway, 1986; Hallam and Juniper, 1986). Cow-five 3% alone was found to have no effect but Cow-five 3% + soapnut solution 0.5% was comparable to endosulfan 0.07% in efficacy. This indicates that it may be much more effective at higher concentrations when mixed with a sticking agent. The treatments had no significant effect on E. vigintioctopunctata pupae, indicating little contact action since they are sedentary, although exposed to sprays. The response of E. vigintioctopunctata adults was significantly different between sprays. Although Cow-five 3% had no remarkable effect on adult feeding, it was able to check the beetles in combination with soapnut solution 0.5% or neem oil 3% as effectively as endosulfan 0.07%. Since the intensity of damage to brinjal foliage was heavy due to E. vigintioctopunctata, it was assessed by a 5-grade score to compare the treatment effects. Apparently, the damage intensity was medium to high in control plots while it was significantly less than that in all other treatments, including Cow-five 3% and endosulfan 0.07%, This indicated that Cowfive can be used against foliage feeders, especially by increasing the dose to 5% or more and by spraying at shorter intervals for better results. Cow-five did not appear to have any effect on caterpillars that bore deep into the plant

363

tissues, e.g. L orbonalis. That even endosulfan 0.07% also failed to reduce the borer attack significantly indicates that L. orbonalis is very difficult to control. At higher doses Cow-five will probably be able to deter L. orbonalis moths from oviposition because of its characteristic odour. References Hallam, N. M. and Juniper, B. E. (1986). The anatomy of leaf surface. In: Ecology of Leaf Surface Microorganisms (eds.). T. F. Preece and C. H. Dickinson. Academic Press, London, p. 1-26. Holloway, P. J. (1986). The chemical and physical characteristics of leaf surfaces. In: Ecology of Leaf Surfacce Microorganisms (eds.) T. F. Preece and C. H. Dickinson. Academic Press, London, p. 39-53. Natarajan, K. (2003). Panchakavya a manual. Panchakavya for farmers. Other India Press, Goa, India. 33 pp. Nayagam, G. (2001). Indigenous paddy cultivation - experiences of a farmer. Pesticide Post, 9: 1. Selvaraj, P. (2004). Panchakavya, an organic insect repellent. Numvazhi Velanmai, 13: 6. Somasundaram, E., Sankaran, N., Meena, S., Thiyagarajan, T.M., Chandaragiri, K.K., and Panneerselvan, S. (2003). Response of greengram to varied concentrations of Panchakavya (organic nutrition) foliar application. Madras Agric. J., 90: 169-172. Vasuthevan. (2003). Cultivation of curry leaf. Numvazhi Velanmai, 12: 10-11. (Received : December 2004; Revised : August 2005)