Evaluation of Insecticidal and Antimicrobial Effect of Boerhavia diffusa

— Boerhavia diffusa , commonly known as „Punarnava‟ in the Indian system of medicine is a perennial creeping herb found throughout the waste lands. The insecticidal activity of aqueous and acetone extracts of B. diffusa was tested against the pest insect Dysdercus cingulatus , commonly known as Red Cotton Bug. The plant extract exhibited ovicidal effect, nymphicidal effect, varying degree of moulting disruption, reduced fecundity rate along with prolonged mating period. Insecticidal property exhibited by this plant extract can be exploited in the field of Integrated Pest Management, so as to reduce the hazardous effects of chemical pesticides. The toxic principles present in the plant extract are actually secondary metabolites that are evolved as a protective measure against herbivorous animals. Antimicrobial activity of B. diffusa was also evaluated using gram negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and showed significant level of sensitivity to B. diffusa extracts. Thus it is evident that B. diffusa possess toxic principles having insecticidal as well as antimicrobial activity which can be employed in the field of agriculture and medicine respectively