Effect of Azadirachta indica, Pongamia glabra, and Adhatoda vasica on Termites, Arthropods, Shoot Borers and Coleopteran Pests

Abstract

The excessive use of synthetic chemical pesticides for the management of insect pests in agriculture has led to serious environmental, ecological, and health concerns, necessitating the exploration of eco-friendly alternatives. The present investigation evaluated the bioefficacy of three botanical pesticides—Azadirachta indica (neem), Pongamia glabra (karanja), and Adhatoda vasica (adhatoda)—against major insect pests of sugarcane, including termites (Odontotermes obesus), shoot borers (Chilo infuscatellus), orthopterans, and coleopteran pests. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted in Sultanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, using a randomized block design with botanical treatments applied as foliar sprays and soil drenches at different concentrations, along with a synthetic chemical pesticide and an untreated control for comparison. Observations were recorded on pest infestation, mortality, repellency, growth, and reproductive parameters. The results showed that all botanical treatments significantly reduced pest infestation compared to the control. Azadirachta indica extract and the combined botanical formulation exhibited the highest efficacy among all, achieving 70–72% reduction in termite infestation and 69–70% reduction in shoot borer incidence, values comparable to the synthetic pesticide. Mortality and repellency assays further confirmed the strong insecticidal and deterrent effects of neem and combined botanical treatments, with mortality exceeding 75% after 72 hours of exposure. The study demonstrates that botanical pesticides, particularly neem-based and combined formulations, possess strong potential as sustainable, biodegradable, and environmentally safe alternatives to chemical pesticides and can be effectively integrated into integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for sugarcane cultivation.