EVALUATION OF THE NEWLY INTRODUCED NEEM BASED INSECTICIDE NIMBECIDINE (AZADIRACHTIN) 0.03% FOR THE CONTROL OF ONION THRIPS, Thrips tabaci Lind. (THYSANOPTERA: THRIPIDAE )

Abstract

Onion thrips Thrips tabaci is the principal pest of economic importance attacking onion in most growing areas, damage in the Sudan may reach 40%. This experiment was conducted at Shambat Research Station, Agricultural Research and Technology Corporation (Khartoum Bahari). During winter season (2004/2005), to evaluate the performance of Nimbecidine (Azadirachtin) 0.03% EC for the control of onion thrips T. tabaci. Nimbecidine with four dosage rates was compared with Decis (deltamethrin) 2.5% EC at recommended dose (2g a.i/fed) and untreated control. The experiment laid out in randomized complete block design with six treatments with three replications. All cultural practices were adopted according to Agricultural Research and Technology Corporation recommendations. The results indicated that Nimbecidine with all tested doses significantly reduced the number of thrips populations compared with the untreated control. The performance of Nimbecidine increased with dosage rates increased and 1.5ml\litre was the most effective. Nimbecidine was less effective compared with standard insecticide (Decis). iii ‫.‪(Ton\ fed) compared with the untreated control‬‬