ECO-FRIENDLY MANAGEMENT APPROACHES OF MAJOR INSECT PESTS IN CAULIFLOWER

ABSTRACT: In Bangladesh, the cultivation of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) faces critical challenges from insect pest infestations, which lead to substantial reductions in both marketable yield and curd quality. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of five eco-friendly management approaches against major cauliflower pests and their impact on natural enemies and economic returns. The field experiment was conducted at Gazipur Agricultural University during the Rabi season (November 2023 to January 2024) using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Treatments included Vermitec 1.8 EC (Abamectin) @ 1.2 mL L⁻¹ of water, Tracer 45 SC (Spinosad) @ 0.4 ml L⁻¹ of water, Bio-Action 1.5 SL (Matrine) @ 1.5 mL L⁻¹ of water, Phytoclean (Potassium salt of fatty acid 40%) @1.5 mL L⁻¹ of water, Proclaim 5 SG (Emamectin Benzoate) @ 1 mL L⁻¹ of water as an untreated control. Among the treatments, Tracer 45 SC (Spinosad) @ 0.4 ml L⁻¹ was the most effective, resulting in the lowest number of diamondback moth (1.7 ± 0.0/head) and prodania caterpillar (1.5 ± 0.0 head⁻¹), lowest head infestation rates (3.9% by number and 3.5% by weight), highest yield (29.9 ± 0.4 t ha⁻¹), and maximum MBCR (8.3). Three applications of Tracer 45 SC (Spinosad) @ 0.4 ml L⁻¹ was found as an effective, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable strategy for managing major cauliflower pests in Bangladesh, ensuring high productivity and conserving beneficial arthropods. 

Keywords: Biopesticides, Diamondback moth, Prodania caterpillar, Eco-friendly management, Spinosad, BARI Fulkopi-1