Botanical Acaricides for Sustainable Management of Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) in Okra: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Authors: Sanjeet Kumar Singh; Kaushal Kumar Pandey; Abhay Singh
Botanical Acaricides for Sustainable Management of Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) in Okra: Current Status and Future Perspectives
DOI
10.25125/ijoear-jul-2026-4
DIN
IJOEAR-JUL-2026-4
Abstract

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, has become an important constraint in okra cultivation due to its ability to multiply rapidly and cause serious damage to foliage. Infestation often results in reduced photosynthetic activity, poor plant vigour, and significant losses in yield and marketable quality, particularly under warm and dry conditions. Continuous reliance on synthetic acaricides has resulted in several challenges, including resistance development, pesticide residues, resurgence of pest populations, and adverse effects on beneficial organisms. These concerns have encouraged researchers to explore environmentally safer alternatives for mite management.

This review critically examines published information on plant-derived acaricides and their potential role in managing T. urticae in okra-based production systems. Findings from studies conducted in India and other countries indicate that neem-based products, garlic-chilli extracts, karanja oil, tulsi extracts, and several essential oils possess significant acaricidal, repellent, and growth-regulating properties. Evidence generated from field investigations conducted under the doctoral research programme of Singh at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, indicated that NSKE 5%, azadirachtin 0.03%, and neem oil were among the most promising botanical options for suppressing Tetranychus urticae populations under field conditions. Unlike many conventional acaricides that primarily target a single physiological pathway, botanical products influence mite populations through several complementary mechanisms, including direct toxicity, feeding inhibition, reproductive suppression, interference with growth and development, reduction in fecundity, and oviposition deterrence. Their comparatively lower toxicity to natural enemies enhances their suitability for incorporation into integrated pest management programmes. Although several promising results have been reported, challenges related to formulation standardisation, field persistence, and large-scale adoption still need to be addressed. Future efforts should focus on improving formulation technology, validating performance across diverse agro-climatic conditions, and promoting farmer awareness. Overall, botanical acaricides offer a promising component of sustainable and residue-conscious mite management strategies in okra cultivation.

Keywords
Tetranychus urticae Koch botanical acaricides neem-based pesticides integrated pest management okra two-spotted spider mite azadirachtin NSKE biopesticides Abelmoschus esculentus.
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Introduction

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions and serves as an important vegetable crop for both nutritional security and farm income generation. India occupies a leading position in global okra production, and the crop contributes significantly to nutritional security and farm income. Despite its economic importance, okra productivity is often constrained by a range of insect and mite pests that reduce both yield and market quality.

Among the arthropod pests associated with okra, the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is increasingly recognized as a key production constraint in several agro-climatic regions. The mite is highly polyphagous and capable of infesting a large number of cultivated and wild host plants. Feeding by mites causes chlorotic speckling, leaf bronzing, premature leaf drop, and reduction in photosynthetic activity. Under severe infestation, substantial yield losses have been reported in susceptible cultivars.

Management of T. urticae has traditionally depended on synthetic acaricides because of their rapid action and immediate suppression of mite populations. However, repeated use of these chemicals has resulted in resistance development, residue accumulation, destruction of natural enemies, and occasional pest resurgence. Increasing concerns regarding environmental safety and sustainable crop protection have therefore encouraged the search for alternative management approaches.

Growing concerns regarding pesticide resistance and environmental safety have renewed interest in botanically derived pest-management products as viable alternatives or complementary tools to conventional acaricides. Plant-derived products contain diverse bioactive compounds that can affect mites through multiple physiological and behavioural mechanisms. Their biodegradable nature and relative safety to beneficial organisms make them attractive candidates for integration into IPM programmes. The present review aims to summarise current knowledge on botanical acaricides used against T. urticae, discuss their modes of action and field performance, and identify future research priorities for sustainable mite management in okra.

In recent years, increasing concerns regarding pesticide residues, resistance development, environmental contamination, and consumer demand for safer food products have accelerated global interest in botanical pesticides and bio-rational pest management approaches. Botanical acaricides are therefore gaining renewed attention as sustainable alternatives for managing spider mite infestations in vegetable crops.

Conclusion

The findings reviewed in this article indicate that Tetranychus urticae continues to be a major constraint to profitable okra cultivation in many production regions. The pest's rapid reproductive capacity, wide host range, and ability to develop resistance to pesticides make its management particularly challenging. Although synthetic acaricides remain effective in reducing mite populations, their long-term sustainability is limited by issues related to resistance, environmental contamination, and adverse effects on non-target organisms.

Evidence generated from laboratory and field studies demonstrates that several botanical products, particularly neem-based formulations, possess significant potential for suppressing spider mite populations. Results obtained from multi-year field investigations at BHU, Varanasi, further support the usefulness of NSKE, azadirachtin, and neem oil as practical management options. In addition to direct toxicity, these products influence mite behaviour, growth, reproduction, and feeding activity, thereby contributing to population suppression through multiple pathways.

Botanical acaricides should not be viewed as complete replacements for synthetic acaricides but rather as important components of an integrated pest management strategy. Their compatibility with biological control agents and lower environmental impact provide clear advantages in sustainable crop production systems. Future research should focus on improving formulation stability, enhancing field persistence, standardising quality parameters, and validating efficacy under different agro-climatic conditions. Strengthening extension efforts and increasing farmer awareness will also be important for promoting wider adoption. With continued scientific refinement and field validation, botanical acaricides can contribute substantially to environmentally responsible and climate-resilient management of spider mites in okra.

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