monocrotophos, neem oil, intercropping, groundnut production
Abstract
The integrated effect of intercropping, a synthetic pesticide (monocrotopas) (M) and neem based biopesticide (neem oil - 2%) (NO) on three-groundnut defoliators damage and also the groundnut production was studied. The monocrotopas and neem oil combination was found to be very effective in reducing the defoliator infestation. Defoliator’s incidence was signifi cantly higher in untreated plots, resulting in signifi cantly lower yield (1539.03 Kg h-1). The groundnut
yield was increased (2011.18 Kg h-1) when monocrotophos and neem oil mixture was applied than monocrotophos (1877.77 Kg h-1) and control categories. The estimated avoidable groundnut and black gram yield loss were lower in monocrotopas.