Comparative effect of different pest control practices on the population of sucking insect pests and Yield of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Studies were conducted to investigate the comparative effect of different pest control practices i.e.,chemical insecticide,cultural practices and neem seed aqueous extracts on the population of whitefly (bemesia tabaci),aphids (myzus persicae) jassids (amrasca devastans) and yield of sunflower. findings of present study revealed that the highest per leaf population of whitefly (2.39),aphids (0.58) and jassids (1.15) was recorded in check plots,whereas,lowest per leaf population of whitefly (1.43),aphids (0.36) and jassids (0.78) was recorded in a combined application of insecticide + cultural practices + neem seed aqueous extracts. similar trend was observed regarding sunflower yield per hectare in variable where plots were treated with a combined application of insecticide + cultural practices + neem seed aqueous extracts produced highest yield (5653 kg ha-1),as against (4084 kg ha-1) in control plots. copyright © 2015 zoological society of pakistan.