Control of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) by some herbal extracts and pesticides on cabbage plants

Abstract

Whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) is a polyphagous, highly destructive pest of agricultural crops. Their adults feed on the foliage of cruciferous plants and greatly reduce both yield and quality of the production of cabbage. So this study aims to evaluate the foliar application efficacy of aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica and Jatropha curcas seeds powders and Azadirachta indica leaves extracts on Bemisia tabaci in cabbage farm so that to develop alternatives to chemical control harmful to the environment. In Bongouanou and CBC Kangandissou, the botanicals extracts based on Azadirachta indica and Jatropha curcas, and the pesticides Decis 12 EC and Cypercal 50 EC were effective against B. tabaci adults. The aqueous of Jatropha curcas seeds extracts 59.1 g/L and 36.9 g/L and the aqueous extracts from of Azadirachta indica leaves 67 g/L have similar efficacy to the pesticides Decis and Cypercal. In the two localities, on the yield, of Azadirachta indica seed powders aqueous extracts 41.5 g/L and 25.9 g/L were found the most effective than Cypercal and Decis and Jatropha curcas seed powders aqueous extracts 59.1 and 36.9 g/L. Futhermore, Jatropha curcas extracts have similar effectiveness as pesticides Decis and Cypercal. Thus, Azadirachta indica and Jatropha curcas seed powders aqueous extracts could be used to protect crops against Bemisia tabaci.