Effectiveness of Neem (Azadirachta indica) insecticides against Brassica pod midge (Dasineura brassicae Winn.)

Abstract

The eYciency of the botanical insecticide (BI) NeemAzal T/S (containing 1% Azadirachtin A), on the basis of azadirachtin applied in a dose of 20 g a.i. ha ¡1 against Brassica pod midge (Dasineura brassicae), has been monitored for 4 years. The biological eYciency of BI was compared with the eYciency of some synthetic insecticides. It was ascertained that BI was very eYcient in decreasing the number of damaged oilseed rape pods (ranging from 56.5 to 85.9% compared to untreated plants) and its eYciency was comparable with synthetic insecticides based on Chloronicotinyl (Thiacloprid) and Neonicotinoid (Acetamiprid). BI's eYciency was, in some years, even signiWcantly higher compared to pyrethroid ( -cyhalothrin). The high biological eYciency of azadirachtin that we ascertained was signiWcantly reXected in increasing potential crop yields. The yield increase of azadirachtin ranged between 9.3 and 19.4% compared to the control sample. Azadirachtin showed the highest yield for the whole time of experimentation, and in some years the yield increase was signiWcantly higher compared to some synthetic agents.

Promising antifungal effect of some Euro-Asiatic plants against dangerous pathogenic and toxinogenic fungi

“…Many studies have proven very good insecticide, bactericide and fungicide effects. Their light toxicity confirms the correctness of the hypotheses stating the necessity to study effects of plant extracts on fungal pathogenic species 19–24…”

Systemic applications of azadirachtin in the control of Corythucha ciliata (Say, 1832)(Hemiptera, Tingidae), a pest of Platanus sp.

“…In contrast, the application of botanical insecticides may provide a suitable alternative to synthetic insecticides; in addition, since these products contain natural plant metabolites, their active ingredients are easily decomposed through common biochemical processes in the soil. Azadirachtin is a natural tetranortriterpenoid compound derived from seed kernels of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica Juss) and has been shown to express insecticidal activity and be highly effective against a number of insect pests (Mordue & Blackwell 1993;Pavela et al 2004Pavela et al , 2009). This compound displays an array of effects on insects acting as a phago-and oviposition deterrent, repellent, antifeedant, growth retardant, moulting inhibitor, sterilant, and preventing insect larvae from developing into adults.…”

Antifeedant activity of gutta-percha against larvae of theHyphantria cuneaandAnoplophora glabripennis

“…Plant secondary metabolites can act as feeding deterrents or inhibit pest growth and development (Pavela & Herda 2007;Pavela et al 2009;Rani & Murty 2009). Plants may adopt various chemical defenses, among them, the amount of defense chemicals intrinsic to the plant and not induced by the feeding of insects (Shi 1994;Maleck & Dietrich 1999).…”