Safety Towards Trichogramma Chilonis Ishii in Laboratory and Phytotoxicity of Selected Botanicals

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.; Solanacae) is one of the important vegetable crops of India. Productivity in India is decreased by many major insect pests. Insecticides are popular control methods. They are harmful to natural enemies. Hence, safety of selected indigenous botanical preparations like Neem oil (0.5 %), Neem seed kernel extract (5%), Acorus calamus extract (50 %) and five leaf extract (10 %) towards Trichogramma chilonis Ishii was studied. It clearly indicated the superior safety profile of all the selected botanical preparations. The total absence of adult emergence in Chlorpyriphos (100%) indicated its ill effect on natural enemies. Studies on phytotoxicty revealed that Acorus calamus extract and Chlorpyriphos in double the recommended dose exhibited the phytotoxic symptoms.