Evaluation of different bio-pesticides against red spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch in marigold

The efficacy of different bio-pesticides was evaluated against red spider mite, Tetranychus urticae in marigold viz. Neem seed kernel extract 5% (NSKE), aqueous tobacco extract (2%), neem oil (0.5%), azadirachtin 10,000 ppm (0.002%), Metarhizium anisopliae NBAIR Ma4 1% WP (2 × 108 cfu/g), Beauveria bassiana NBAIR Bb5a 1% WP (2 × 108 cfu/g) and Lecanicillium lecanii ICAR NBAIR V18 1% WP (2 × 108 cfu/g) compared with control at Biological Control Research Farm, ICAR Unit-9, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat). The results showed that neem oil (0.5%) and azadirachtin 10,000 ppm (0.002%) were the most effective treatments that reduced the mite population and demonstrated remarkable efficacy in managing mite infestations. In contrast, Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana were the least effective treatments, resulting in the highest mite population. While the remaining bio-pesticides exhibited moderate efficacy. These findings suggest that Neem oil and azadirachtin can be used as effective bio-pesticides for managing red spider mite infestations in marigold.