Correction: Sustainable pest management in cabbage using botanicals: Characterization, Effectiveness and Economic Appraisal

Mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.), diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linn.), and cabbage butterfly, Pieris brassicae (Linn.), were observed as major yield-restraining factors in cabbage. Considering the adverse impacts of synthetic agrochemicals, an investigation was carried out in search of eco-friendly and sustainable management options for these pests. Several botanicals were evaluated against L. erysimi , P. xylostella and P. brassicae during the spring seasons of 2019 and 2020. The effectiveness of botanicals was assessed by comparing treated vs. untreated control plots for the nymphal/larval densities of each species of insect, immature and adult natural enemies, crop damage ratings and marketable yield. The effective botanicals were characterized by using Gas chromatography coupled to tandem Mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). To assess the economics of botanical application, the benefit–cost ratio (BCR) was computed. The application of neem oil @ 3 ml/L and garlic oil @ 2 ml/L showed a gradual increase in the reduction in L. erysimi , P. xylostella and P. brassicae populations. Neem oil caused the highest percent reduction 70.19, 70.87 and 69.36 in the population of L. erysimi , P. xylostella and P. brassicae . Garlic oil was responsible for 67.40, 68.67 and 67.17% reduction in the population of L. erysimi , P. xylostella and P. brassicae . Mahogany oil and pongamia oil were found to be least effective against all the studied insect pests of cabbage in both seasons. The highest benefit–cost ratio (BCR) of 2.43 was noticed for the insecticide treatment tolfenpyrad. Among the botanicals, a comparable cost–benefit ratio was recorded for neem oil (2.19) and garlic oil (2.03). The least BCR cost–benefit ratio was recorded for pongamia oil (1.16) and mahogany oil (1.12). In terms of efficacy and benefit–cost ratio, botanicals such as neem oil and garlic oil were comparable to tolfenpyrad insecticide. The tested botanicals did not produce any adverse effects on predatory coccinellids and syrphids in comparison with the chemical insecticides. Therefore, botanicals like neem oil and garlic oil can be included in cabbage Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme.