Relative efficacy of agricultural spray oil and azadirachtin against two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) on cucumber (Cucumis sativus) under greenhouse and laboratory conditions

Abstract

Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted on relative efficacy of agricultural spray oil and azadirachtin for the management of two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). The treatments included the spray of agricultural spray oil, azadirachtin and combination of both at 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2% under laboratory conditions and 0.1 and 0.5% under greenhouse conditions, replicated thrice. The laboratory experiment results indicated highest mortality of the mite after 24, 48 and 72 hr of spray in agricultural spray oil + azadirachtin (at 1 and 2%), followed by 2% agricultural spray oil alone in both the seasons. Greenhouse experiment results also indicated highest mortality of the mite on spraying agricultural spray oil + azadirachtin (0.5%) throughout the period, however, agricultural spray oil (0.5%) resulted in highest mortality only a day after spraying during the first season.