SIMAROUBA GLAUCA DC: AN EFFECTIVE BIOPESTICIDE AGAINST LEAF DEFOLIATORS OF AILANTHUS AND TEAK PLANTS

ABSTRACT Simarouba glauca DC seeds were collected and oil was extracted by using n-Hexane solvent in soxhlet apparatus. Phytochemical screening of n-Hexane extract of S. glauca seed oil showed the presence of cardiac glycosides, saponin and steroids. Physicochemical analysis showed that density of oil was 0.441 g/cc, free fatty acid value was 1.6 mg KOH/g, iodine value was 27.74 g/100g oil, peroxide value was 1.14 meq/kg oil, acid value was 3.21, saponification value was 208 mg KOH/g and unsaponifiable matter was 3%. Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry analysis revealed that the presence of oleic acid, steric acid, palmitic acid, and linoleic acid as major fatty acids with the area percentage of 44.6%, 24.03%, 15.44% and 0.232% respectively. Further laboratory experiment was setup to evaluate S. glauca seed oil against Ailanthus and Teak defoliators viz., Eligma narcissus Cramer (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) and Hyblaea puera Cramer (Lepidoptera: Hyblaeidae). Spraying of S. glauca seed oil had resulted in 100% larval mortality in both E. narcissus and H. puera. The larval mortality was due to the insecticidal property of oil through hydrolytic dissociation and excess loss of water. Simarouba glauca seed oil acts as a contact poison and it could be used as a biopesticide to control the E. narcissus and H. puera in the early developmental stages.