Investigations on biochemical and biopesticidal properties of jatropha seed oil and meal

Abstract

The increasing concern over the levels of toxic pesticide residues in food cycle has prompted for suitable alternatives for synthetic pesticides. In this direction the present investigation was carried out on research into biopesticidal activity of Jatropha curcas L. (Euphoriaceae) seed, oil and meal against four major pest species viz., Helicoverpa armigera (Cotton boll worm) attacking musk melon, Bemisia tabaci (Whitefly) on tomato, Cnaphalocrosis medinalis (Leaf folder) on rice crop and Diacrisia obliqua (Bihar hairy caterpillar on groundnut. newlineLaboratory and field level effects of J. curcas seed, oil and meal extracts were studied on the four pests. Under laboratory conditions, all the solvent extracts of J. curcas seed, and few extracts of meal tested were found effective in reducing the population of H. armigera, Whitefly, Rice leaf folder and Bihar hairy caterpillar. The highest mean percent mortality was observed with methanol extract of seed, oil and meal with 85.94%, 85.94% and 85.94% respectively on Helicoverpa armigera. With respect to Adult whitefly, highest mean percent mortality was observed with methanol extract of seed, oil and meal with 65.95%, 62.29% and 63.54% respectively. With Rice leaf folder, highest mean percent mortality was observed with methanol extract of seed, oil and meal with 80.03%, 68.66% and 78.19% respectively. While for Bihar hairy caterpillar, highest mean percent mortality was observed with methanol extract of seed, oil and meal with 85.94%, 71.56% and 85.9% respectively. newlineAll the solvent extracts of J. curcas seed, oil and few extracts of meal tested were found effective in reducing the population of H.armigera, Whitefly, Rice leaf folder and Bihar hairy caterpillar under field conditions. With H. armigera, the highest mean percent mortality was observed with methanol extract of seed, oil and meal with 82.8%, 70.26% and 74.9% respectively. newlineIn case of Adult whitefly, highest mean percent mortality was observed with methanol extract of seed, oil and meal with 64.6%, 60.5% and 60