Feeding Deterrent and Genotoxicity Analysis of a novel Phytopesticide by using Comet Assay against Helicoverpa armigera (HÜbner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

ABSTRACT

Newly developed Phytopesticidal formulations from pongam and neem oils were evaluated for their feeding deterrent activity using leaf disc choice and no-choice methods, and genotoxic study using comet assay against Helicoverpa armigera at different concentrations of 5, 10, 15, and 20 ppm. Among various phytopesticidal formulations, neem and pongam oils at 11 ratio, called PONNEEM showed significant feeding deterrent activity against H. armigera at 20 ppm concentration and wasgenotoxic to H. armigera (P>0.001). The comet parameters, namely tail moment (arbitrary units), tail length (µm) and tail DNA (%) were observed at all the concentrations of PONNEEM. Statistically significant changes in all the comet parameters of H. armigera were observed at 20 ppm (P<0.001). Feeding deterrent and genotoxicity effect of PONNEEM could be applied as phytopesticide for controlling the lepidopteran insect pests.