IJCRRI Journ Cur Res ReInternational Journal of Current Research and ReviewI Journ Cur Res Re2231-21960975-5241Radiance Research Academy1995General SciencesCYTOGENETIC EFFECT OF PHYTOPESTICIDE AGAINST LEPIDOPTERAN PESTS SMaria PackiamKElumalaiSIgnacimuthu29092012)5459This article is copyright of Popeye Publishing, 20092009This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) Licence. You may share and adapt the material, but must give appropriate credit to the source, provide a link to the licence, and indicate if changes were made.

The present investigation aims to assess the cytogenetic effect of PONNEEM, a newly prepared botanical pesticide against the fourth instar larvae of Spodoptera litura Fab. PONNEEM exhibited spectacular changes in the morphological structure of chromosome of S. litura at 10 ppm concentration. The various karyomorphological changes namely metaphase plates showing clumping of chromosome, dots chromosome, endo reduplication, ploidy and deletion of chromosome were observed. This is the first report on the cytogenetic effect of PONNEEM against fourth instar larvae of S. litura. The severe damage on chromosome of S. litura was noticed due to the synergistic effect PONNEEM consisting of pongam and neem oils. So, this effective botanical pesticide which is safe and eco-friendly can be used as an alternative to chemical pesticides to control lepidopteran pests.

Spodoptera litura PONNEEM Karyomorphology Ploidy Cytogenetic