Efficacy of biorationals against mustard aphid, <i>Lipaphis erysimi</i> Kalt.

Field experiments were conducted to assess the effectiveness of various biopesticides and plant-derived products in controlling infestation of aphid, Lipaphis erysimi Kalt. in mustard crop through two rounds of spraying. Treatments included Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, Lecanicillium lecanii, Azadirachtin, NSKE (5.0%), neem oil (1.0%), karanj oil (1.0%), karanj seed extract (5.0%), and a standard check involving alternate spray of dimethoate (0.03%)/malathion (0.05%). Results indicated that among biorationals, azadirachtin, NSKE and neem oil were most effective. Though biorationals were relatively less efficacious than standard check, considering their safety to environment and residue free food production, these can be included in IPM of mustard. Similarly, these treatments exhibited the highest yield increase and net profit, with dimethoate/malathion having the highest benefit-cost ratio (15.09) compared to other treatments.