TY  - JOUR
T1  - Integrated Management of Pomegranate Fruit
Borer (Virachola Isocrates) Through Chemical and
Botanical Intervention
AU - Ejaz, Muhammad AU - Ambreen, Madieha AU - Khan, Fawad 
JO  - Agricultural Journal
VL  - 20
IS  - 1
SP  - 11
EP  - 14
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1816-9155
DO  - makaj.2025.11.14
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=makaj.2025.11.14
KW  - Biopesticide
KW  - Diaphorina citri
KW  - Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus
AB  - <p>The pomegranate fruit borer (Virachola isocrates) is one of the most destructive pests of pomegranate, causing severe yield losses in major production areas. A field and laboratory experiment was conducted in Swat District during the 2024 growing season to evaluate the efficacy of chemical and botanical interventions against this pest. The study employed a randomized complete block design with three replications on 24 pomegranate trees (cv. Kandahari Anar). Four chemical insecticides (lambda‐cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, indoxacarb, and bifenthrin), three botanical extracts (10% aqueous neem, water pepper, and eucalyptus), and a water‐spray control were tested. Results revealed that chemical treatments, particularly lambda‐cyhalothrin and cypermethrin, achieved the lowest fruit infestation (3.7‐4.5%), complete larval mortality (100%), and the highest yields (15‐16 t/ha). Botanicals provided moderate suppression, with neem and water pepper reducing infestation to 7‐8% and achieving up to 81% larval mortality, significantly outperforming the control (15.6% infestation, 7.2 t/ha, 0% mortality). These findings suggest that while chemical insecticides remain the most effective option for rapid control, botanical extracts hold promise as eco‐friendly alternatives and should be integrated into a sustainable pest management framework.</p>

ER  -