Field study on repellent efficacy of Crotalaria burhia Buch.-Ham. ex Benth. and Anacardium occidentale L. against Odontotermes obesus (Rambur)

Abstract

Crotolaria burhia Buch.-Ham. ex Benth. and Anacardium occidentale L. known for their insecticidal properties were tested for their efficacy against the subterranean termite, Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) in wheat and sugarcane fields at Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology, Gurgaon, Haryana during 2015. Bait mixed with 10 % root extracts of C. burhia placed near 6 termitaria along the bunds of wheat field resulted in drastic decline of termite population ranging from 747.22 on 1^st day to 289.28 numbers on 12^th day after baiting. Total number of termite catch in 6 termitaria along the bunds of wheat fields after baiting period was 6704.61 whereas in untreated check it was 15078.00. Bait mixed with 5 % leaf dust of A. occidentale in sugarcane field recorded a minimum termite catch of 261.22 numbers after baiting period of 4 days, while the number was 1095.83 during prebaiting period. A total average termite population of 5655.72 was recorded in A. occidentale treated bait against 8657.67 numbers in untreated check. Termite numbers in untreated check ranged from 1277.67 to 2031.67 in wheat field and 530 to 1640 in sugarcane field.