Field evaluation of water plant extracts on sucking insect pests and their associated predators in transgenic Bt cotton

Abstract

Several plant species and their compounds are well-known to have some pesticidal properties against a wide range of insect pests. Potential of two water plant extracts, Azadirachta indica A. Juss and Melia azedarach L., in comparison with the synthetic pyrethroid bifenthrin against sucking insect pests and their associated predators, as well on the yield in Bt cotton, was evaluated. The population of the sucking insect pests was found lowest in the positive control (only bifenthrin application). The A. indica extract reduced the pest population equivalent to the positive control, but the highest populations were observed in both negative controls (only water and 0.1% soap with water application). The M. azedarach did not show any harmful effect on the insect population. The predators' abundance was higher in the plots where botanicals were applied, while the lowest population was observed in the bifenthrin treatment. In comparison to the negative control (only water application), (63.4%) cotton yield was increased by the application of A. indica and (58.8%) by the application of the synthetic insecticide. Using plant extracts of A. indica to control sucking insect pests of cotton can be as effective as synthetic insecticides in terms of crop yield beside they are safer for natural enemies in the field.

Bioefficacy, environmental safety and synergistic impacts of biorational formulations against whitefly, leafhopper and blister beetle in organic okra ecosystem

“…Ghananand et al (2011) mentioned that the pesticides from the biological origin and neem-based were found relatively less harmful to the natural enemies in the brinjal ecosystem. Using water plant extracts like neem (A. indica) for the management of sucking insect-pests is safer for natural enemies in the cotton field by Arshad et al (2019) who partly supported our result. Hence, the protection and facilitation of ecosystem services provided by beneficial species like spiders and coccinellids through plant extracts and cow urine is a strong argument for adopting naturally derived materials in crop protection.…”

Insecticidal Potential of Some Selected Phytoextracts against Mealybug Drosicha mangiferae (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Infesting Citrus Plants in Sargodha

“…This plant affects the insects in different ways such as insect growth regulator, antifeedant and sterilant. Azadirachtin compound in this plant has many traits like rapid degradation, systemic activity in plants, and safer to natural enemies of insect pests present in the field (Arshad et al, 2019).…”

Cabbage Production in West Africa and IPM with a Focus on Plant-Based Extracts and a Complementary Worldwide Vision

“…In Togo, like in other West African countries, extracts from the seeds or leaves of neem have proven their potency in controlling P. xylostella, the most destructive insect pest for cabbage crops [93,130,233]. This efficacy is also noted against other insects, such as Zonocerus variegatus on cabbage and Hibiscus sabdariffa L., in Nigeria [234] and B. tabaci [235]. Neem seed extracts are often combined with other pesticides, or sometimes with powdered soap, to treat vegetable crops [77].…”