Biopesticide Evaluation from Lab to Greenhouse Scale of Essential Oils Used against Macrosiphum euphorbiae

Abstract

Aphids are recognized as a major threat to economically important crops. Their control is predominantly based on synthetic insecticides that are detrimental to human health and the environment. Botanical pesticides based on essential oils (EOs) are a promising alternative. In this study, the entomotoxicity of green anise and fennel EO fumigation was tested on the potato aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae. Three different settings of increasing scale were considered (leaflet, whole plant and greenhouse) to appraise the consistency of EO impact from controlled laboratory to greenhouse production conditions. LC50 values for green anise and fennel were 6.6 μl L−1air and 12.2 μl L−1air, respectively, based on dose-response curves in leaflet experiments but fennel EO induced phytotoxicity. EO efficiency was confirmed at the whole-plant scale. In the greenhouse experiment, fennel EO exhibited greater efficiency than at the laboratory scale equaling green anise EO efficiency but both EOs showed delayed phytotoxicity, illustrating the importance of long-term monitoring. The present study revealed the ability of both EOs to control M. euphorbiae populations under greenhouse conditions and hinted at the importance of assessing EO efficiency in realistic agronomic conditions (e.g., under the fluctuating environmental conditions usually occurring in greenhouses).

Non-target effects of ten essential oils on the egg parasitoidTrichogramma evanescens

“…Indeed, EOs jeopardize the success of natural regulation by direct or indirect effects on natural enemy fitness. Using EOs for plant protection would require to carefully study the benefits (toxicity on pests) and risks (effects on natural enemies and phytotoxicity) (Dunan et al, 2021). This study also sets out possibilities for biocontrol programs that integrate semiochemicals to optimize the efficiency of egg parasitoids in agroecosystems (Wajnberg and Colazza, 2013).…”

“…We chose to explore the Lamiaceae family by including two common aromatic plants: Basil ( Ocimum basilicum , Lamiaceae) and Oregano ( Origanum vulgare , Lamiaceae) (Ikbal and Pavela, 2019). We diversified plant families by including Asteraceae: Mugwort ( Artemisia vulgaris , Asteraceae) (Wang et al, 2006) and three Apiaceae: Coriander ( Coriandrum sativum , Apiaceae) (Khedr et al, 2013), Green anise ( Pimpinella anisum , Apiaceae) and Fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare , Apiaceae) (Dunan et al, 2021). All EOs were obtained from Esperis s.p.a..…”

“…Hierarchical clustering show no particular trend linked to the plant family (Fig S.1). However, Anise and Fennel EOs set apart, probably because they both are mainly composed of anethole, known to exhibit insecticidal activity (Dunan et al, 2021; Sousa et al, 2021). Furthermore, Rosemary and Thyme EOs also distinguish themselves since they are heterogeneous (several major constituents) contrary to the other homogeneous EOs, that are mainly composed of a single majority component (>50%, Table S.1).…”

Sublethal effects of plant essential oils toward the zoophytophagous mirid Nesidiocoris tenuis

“…Although numerous studies have focused on the EOs bioactivity toward greenhouse insect pests (Campolo et al 2017;Dunan et al 2021;Sciortino et al 2021;Tortorici et al 2022), limited knowledge on EOs non-target effect toward beneficial arthropods has been produced. Earlier laboratory studies assessed the non-target impact of Citrus spp., Mentha pulegium L. and garlic (Allium sativum L.) EOs on N. tenuis in terms of acute toxicity and sublethal effects (Papadimitriou et al 2019;Soares et al 2019;Campolo et al 2020b;Ricupero et al 2022).…”

Biopesticides: Naturally Originating Plant Protection Products and Biocides

“…However, this change in scale might have tremendous effects on efficacy. In this context, Dunan et al, in a series of experiments on an increasing scale, reported that botanical pesticides based on essential oils (EOs) could be promising alternatives to combat aphids [5]. In particular, the entomotoxicity of green anise and fennel EO fumigation was tested on the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae.…”