Citrullus Colocynthis (Linn.) and Luffa Acutangula (L.) Roxb, Schrad. Source of Bioinsecticides and their Contribution in Managing Climate Change.

ABSTRACT

In present agricultural practices greenhouse gases are created in a multitude of ways. Pesticide and fertilizer applications, irrigation, lighting, transportation, and other machinery are powered by greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels. The fertilizers and pesticides alone are one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. The overuse of agricultural chemicals pollutes watersheds and kills plants that could otherwise capture greenhouse gases and actually reduce global warming. Compared to conventional agriculture, organic agriculture is reported to be more efficient and effective both in reducing GHGs (CO2, CH4 and N2O) emission mainly due to the less use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Organic agriculture also reported to be climate change resilience farming systems as it promotes the proper management of soil, water, biodiversity and local knowledge there by acting as a good options for adaptation to climate change. In the present study two of the cucurbits are studied for their insecticidal acitivity against Aphids one is a wild specie Citrullus colocynthis (Linn.) Schrad.and another one is cultivated specie that is Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb., both have found effective but C. colocynthis found more effective than L. Acutangula.