Effectiveness of azadirachtin (NeemAzal-T/S) in controlling pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyri) and European red mite (Panonychus ulmi)

Abstract

SUMMARYHere we present the results of field trials conducted in Serbia to evaluate the effectiveness of a neem-based product, NeemAzal-T/S (containing azadirachtin-A as its active ingredient in the form of an emulsifiable concentrate) against pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyri) and European red mite (Panonychus ulmi).Efficacy evaluation against C. pyri was carried out in a commercial pear orchard of the Williams pear cultivar, located at Borkovac (Ruma). The insecticides were applied at BBCH 09 pear growth stage, several days before the beginning of hatching of the first generation larvae. The efficacy of azadirachtin was compared to that of mineral oil, abamectin and diflubenzuron. Efficacy evaluation 18 DAT showed total termination of egg laying by C. pyri after treatments with azadirachtin and abamectin, while some new (white) eggs were found after treatment with mineral oil. Diflubenzuron treatment failed to fully stop egg laying, but the number of white eggs was significantly lower than it was in the control. Azadirachtin and abamectin achieved 100% efficacy, while the effectiveness of mineral oil was 97.4%, and that of diflubenzuron a mere 59%. All four insecticides significantly reduced the number of older (yellow) eggs and larvae, the efficacy being 80.5-92.6% (yellow eggs), 69.8-79.3% (larvae I-III instar) and 94.3-100% (larvae IV-V instar). In evaluation 38 DAT, azadirachtin, abamectin and mineral oil achieved 100% efficacy against white and yellow eggs, while diflubenzuron achieved 93% and 86.9% efficacy. All four insecticides were found to demonstrate high efficacy against I-III instar larvae (99.2-100%), but mineral oil treatment alone achieved high efficacy against IV-V instar larvae (92.4%) as well.Efficacy evaluation against P. ulmi was carried out in a commercial orchard of the Red Chief apple cultivar located at Morović (Šid). Azadirachtin efficacy in controlling a summer population of European red mite was compared to a mineral oil, clofentezine and spirodiclofen. The acaricides were applied when the number of P. ulmi motile forms was below the orientational damage threshold of 3 motile forms per leaf. Azadirachtin reduced significantly the number of motile forms, leaving it well below damage threshold by the end of the trial. Good control efficacy was achieved (77.2-90.4%), the highest level of efficacy

Management of Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Using Biopesticides on Tomato Crop under Greenhouse Conditions

“…Thus, organic molecules of botanical origin may offer a safe source of compounds for pest management, being environmentally friendly, and an excellent alternative to persistent synthetic insecticides (Biondi et al, 2006). Neem seed extract active ingredient azadiractin 1%, acts as antifeeding, deterrent and growth inhibitor against a number of insects and mites including tomato leaf miner (Marčić et al, 2009;Koul et al, 2004).…”

Komparativni učinak različitih insekticida i kaolina na smanjenu brojnost populacije Cacopsylla pyri L.

“…In comparison with T1 (Table 3), T2 (69%) and T3 (54%) had the lower efficiency in both observed years In the Czech Republic, Kocourek and Stara (2006) found that the efficiency of the tested preparations was also different from year to year and that it also differed in the application dates from 92 -100% for Vertimec, which was also used in our study as a part of T1 and T2. In a study conducted in Serbia (Maričić et al, 2009), diflubenzuron achieved the efficiency of 59%. It explains our efficient results for T1 from 84-95%, because each active ingredient in this treatment had its own different effectiveness, which also depends on the other abiotic factors (the time of application, year, etc.).…”

Effectiveness of new chemicals in the management of the amount of apple red mite (Panonychus ulmi Koch)

“…It is the main pest of melons, technical plants, and horticulture, ornamental trees. More than 150 species of spiders have been reported as the main pests of crops around the world [8,9] . According to other scientists, the apple red mite (Panonychus ulmi Koch) is found in almost all agricultural areas of the world, and phytophagous mites are more plantrelated than all other mites [10] .…”