Nematicidal Potential of the Neem Tree Azadirachta indica (A. Juss)

Plant products are receiving greater attention as prophylactics against several species of plant-parasitic nematodes. Numerous experiments have shown the potential nematicidal value of plant parts and their by-products when incorporated into soil or when the plants themselves are interplanted as seedlings among crop plants. Various products (oils, cakes, extracts, etc.) prepared from the leaves and seeds of the neem plant (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) (Family Meliaceae) have been reported as effective protectants against nematode pests when used as root-dips and seed treatments. Nemato-toxic compounds of the neem plant, especially the azadirachtins, are released through volatilization, exudation, leaching and decomposition. The modes of action of these compounds are complex, and a number of mechanisms in relation to nematode management are yet to be fully explored. This review critically assesses the potential of these products in the management of nematodes in tropical agriculture.     

Powdered neem seed and cake for management of the banana weevil,cosmopolites sordidus, and parasitic nematodes

Field trials were conducted in Kenya with ‘Nakyetengu’, an East African highland banana cultivar (AAA-EA), highly susceptible to banana pests. Regardless of soil fertility levels, incorporation around the plant base of powdered neem(Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) seed or cake at 60-100 g/mat at 4-month intervals, gave better control of the banana weevil,Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar), and of parasitic nematodes, than that achieved with soil application of Furadan 5G (carbofuran) at 60 g/mat at 6-month intervals. Compared with untreated control, fruit yield in most of the neem treatments was significantly higher, particularly during the second cycle of crop production. Neem application conferred a net economic gain, whereas Furadan application proved uneconomical. Application of powdered neem seed or cake at higher rates (200–400 g/mat) at 6-month intervals caused phytotoxicity, resulting in drying up of banana plants before fruiting, or in ‘chokethroat’,i.e., inflorescence emergence failure.     

Microbiological and Chemical Analysis of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Extracts: New Data on Antimicrobial Activity

The antimicrobial effects of extracts of neem seed (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) were investigated using microbial growth inhibition assays. A laboratory-prepared neem seed extract along with a commercially available formulated product, were characterized using HPLC, and shown to be effective against a range of bacteria in an agar diffusion assay. The active ingredient,i.e., the unformulated seed extract of the commercial product, also showed activity and this was further investigated in a biochromatogram, using the sensitive bacteriumBacillus mycoides. Results showed antibacterial activity as three discrete inhibition zones that did not correspond to the R_f of the major neem metabolites, azadirachtin, nimbin and salannin. This suggests that these compounds were not antibacterial. The colony radial growth rates of the fungal pathogens that cause ‘take-all’ and ‘snow mould’ disease were both significantly affected when the commercial, unformulated, neem seed extract was incorporated into the growth medium. Experiments in liquid culture suggested that the effect was fungistatic. Conidial germination of the commercially important obligate pathogenSphaerotheca fuliginea (powdery mildew) was reduced to 11%. The results show that neem seed extracts possess antimicrobial activity with notable effects on some fungal phytopathogens. This Work demonstrates that neem seed extracts have potential for controlling both microbial and insect pests. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Sept. 16,2001.     

Control of the mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), with plant extracts

BACKGROUND: The most serious insect pest problems affecting the cultivation of mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach] in Turkey are mushroom flies (sciarids, cecids and phorids). Mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), is the most common insect pest species during April‐October. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential for eight botanical materials (two commercial neem‐based products and six hot‐water plant extracts) to control M. halterata populations in three successive growing periods. RESULTS: Treatment efficacy was evaluated by assessing adult emergence and sporophore damage rates compared with that of a standard insecticide, chlorpyrifos‐ethyl (positive control). All plant extracts caused significant reductions in the mean number of emerging adults and sporophore damage rates compared with the water‐treated control (negative control). Reduction in adult emergence in both neem treatments, Neemazal and Greeneem oil, was greater than that in the positive control. While Neemazal and Origanum onites L. extract had significantly lower sporophore damage rates than the positive control, there were no significant differences between the chlorpyrifos‐ethyl, Greeneem oil and Pimpinella anisum L. extract treatments. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that both neem products and hot‐water extracts of O. onites and P. anisum may be potential alternatives to conventional pesticides for the control of mushroom phorid fly. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Residual toxicity of lambda-cyhalothrin on apple foliage toAmblyseius fallacis and the tarnished plant bug,Lygus lineolaris

The residual toxicity of lambda-cyhalothrin on leaves from a treated apple orchard to a mite predator,Amblyseius fallacis (Garman), in the laboratory, declined to one-third of its original level within 3 weeks. The absence ofA. fallacis on apple trees during the pink bud stage coupled with the results of this study pave the way for the development of integrated pest management strategies where key pre-bloom pests, such as the tarnished plant bug,Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), may be controlled with lambda-cyhalothrin with little if any toxic effects to the predator later in the season. Two years of field testing indicated that 10 g a.i./ha of lambda-cyhalothrin applied at pink was very effective against the tarnished plant bug.     

Note: First record ofGaleruca tanaceti in organicOriganum vulgare in Crete

The tansy leaf beetleGaleruca tanaceti (L.) is recorded for the first time in Crete as a pest of oreganoOriganum vulgare (L.). Oregano is an important herb extensively cultivated both in Crete and mainland Greece. The absence of serious pests due to the production of phenolic compounds and essential oils in the plant tissue has promoted the organic cultivation of oregano.G. tanaceti is a pest of herbaceous plants that has developed appropriate behavioral and biochemical strategies to circumvent host plant defences. In addition, the tansy leaf beetle has very few natural enemies and may pose a serious threat to the organic oregano crops, unless extensive studies of the biology and integrated control of the pest are undertaken. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Sept. 18, 2006.     

Comparative effect of integrated pest management and farmers' standard pest control practice for managing insect pests on cabbage (Brassica spp.)

BACKGROUND: Studies were conducted on experimental cabbage plantings in 2009 and on experimental and commercial plantings in 2010, comparing farmers' current chemical standard pesticide practices with an integrated pest management (IPM) program based on the use of neem (Aza‐Direct) and DiPel (Bacillus thuringiensis). In experimental plantings, the IPM program used six or eight applications of neem and DiPel on a rotational basis. The standard‐practice treatments consisted of six or eight applications of carbaryl and malathion or control treatment. RESULTS: The IPM treatments reduced pest populations and damage, resulting in a better yield than with the standard chemical or control treatment. When IPM treatment included three applications of neem plus three applications of DiPel (on a rotational basis in experimental fields), it again reduced the pest population and damage and produced a better yield than the standard practice. The lower input costs of the IPM program resulted in better economic returns in both trials. CONCLUSIONS: The IPM components neem and DiPel are suitable for use in an IPM program for managing insect pests on cabbage (Brassica spp.). Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

应用楝科植物防治柑桔害虫试验

本文应用楝科植物(印楝、川楝、苦楝)种籽油及其抽提物对柑桔木虱及其他害虫进行一系列的忌避拒食及触杀作用试验,证明印楝油有明显的忌避及拒食作用。印楝油对柑桔潜叶蛾有良好的防效。印楝、川楝及苦楝油对柑桔红蜘蛛也有较强的触杀作用。应用楝科植物杀虫剂可兼治几种害虫,对人畜安全,不污染环境,不会引起抗药性的产生,而且对害虫天敌也比较安全。     

Bioactivity of compounds from Acmella oleracea against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and selectivity to two non-target species

BACKGROUND: Tropical plants are recognised sources of bioactive compounds that can be used for pest control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biological activity of compounds present in Acmella oleracea (Asteracea) against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), which is the main pest of tomato crops in Latin America. The selectivity of these compounds to the predator Solenopsis saevissima (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and to the pollinator Tetragonisca angustula (Latr.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponinae) was also of interest. RESULTS: A bioassay screening with hexane and ethanol extracts from 23 plants was performed. The hexane extract of A. oleraceae was the most active of the extracts and was selected for further study. The following three alkamides were isolated from a hexane extract of the aerial parts of A. oleracea : spilanthol, (E)‐N‐isobutylundeca‐2‐en‐8,10‐diynamide and (R, E)‐N‐(2‐methylbutyl)undeca‐2‐en‐8,10‐diynamide. All of the isolated compounds showed insecticidal activity, with spilanthol being the most active (LD₅₀ = 0.13 µg mg^?1) against T. absoluta . The alkamides were selective to both beneficial species studied. CONCLUSION: The crude hexane extract of A. oleraceae showed high insecticidal activity and can be used to control T. absoluta in organic or conventional crops. Quantification of LD₅₀ values of isolated compounds against T. absoluta showed that alkamides could serve as potent insecticides for T. absoluta control programmes. Spilanthol was the main alkamide active isolated. This alkamide is the most promising as it has the highest insecticidal activity and is selective to non‐target organisms. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Efficacy of neem seed derivatives against nematodes affecting banana

Soil applications of powdered neem seed or neem cake at 100 g/plant at planting and, subsequently, at 3-month intervals, reduced the populations ofPratylenchus goodeyi Sher & Allen andMeloidogyne spp. on par with Furadan 5G (carbofuran) applied at 40 g/plant at planting and then at 6-month intervals to banana plants grown in 100-/ containers with controlled levels of banana nematode infestations. Eight months after planting, banana plants treated with powdered neem cake, seed or kernel or with neem oil had 4 to 95 times fewer parasitic nematodes than the untreated control. However, only neem cake powder or neem seed powder applied to unpared banana plants kept the nematode population below the economic threshold.     

Common oils and insecticidal control and their resistance to Aleuroclava jasmini (Hem.: Aleyrodidae) on paper mulberry in Iran

Abstract

Aleuroclava jasmini (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a major insect pest of paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) in Iran, negatively affecting its production. Considering the importance of oils in the integrated management programs of such pests, the present study examined the possibility of whitefly control on paper mulberry plant to assess mortality rate (MR), synergistic rate (SR), resistance rate (RR), and lethal concentration for 50% of the population (LC₅₀) of oils and common insecticide in populations from four areas of Tehran, Iran (one susceptible and three non-susceptible). The best chemical treatments against A. jasmini adults and nymphs in paper mulberry plants were neem oil (1?ml L^?1) mixed with deltamethrin (0.5?ml L^?1) or with buprofezin (1?ml L^?1). The neem, akylarylpolyglyglycol ether and volk oils mixed with deltamethrin or buprofezin also had synergistic effects on adults and nymphs of A. jasmini, respectively, in Azadi, Shahrake Gharb, and Vanak areas (non-susceptible populations), but with higher concentrations (> LC₅₀) and lower SR than in Garm Dareh area (susceptible population). We observed that A. jasmini adults showed the greatest resistance to deltamethrin in Vanak area and nymphs of this pest to buprofezin in Shahrake Gharb area.     

The profitability of maize–haricot bean intercropping techniques to control maize stem borers under low pest densities in Ethiopia

Lepidopteran stem borers are the main pests of cereals in Ethiopia. In recent years, habitat management techniques, which aim at increasing plant biodiversity through mixed cropping, have gained increased attention in stem borer control. In the present study, the profitability of mixed cropping of maize with haricot beans at different ratios and the effect on infestation of maize by stem borers, yield and borer parasitism were studied in Melkassa and Mieso, Ethiopia, in a field experiment under natural infestation. In Melkassa, pest infestations were too low for the cropping system to affect pests, plant damage and yields significantly, whereas in Mieso, where the pest densities were high, intercropping of maize with beans at ratios of 1:1 to 2:1 significantly decreased borer densities compared with pure maize stands. Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) and Cotesia flavipes. (Cameron) were the major stem borer and parasitoid species, respectively, recorded both at Melkassa and Mieso. Borer parasitism was higher at Mieso than at Melkassa and tended to increase with the increase of the haricot bean ratio in the intercropping system. Land equivalent ratios of >1 indicated higher land use efficiency in mixed compared with sole cropping, even if pest densities were low.     

Natural products in plant protection

Natural products can be used to control pests and diseases in crops. These products include anorganic compounds, but also a variety of plant extracts. In the beginning of this century active microbial extracts were discovered as well. Synthetic crop protection chemicals were developed from about 1940 onwards and sustained progress in modern agriculture. The first generation chemicals have aspecific modes of toxic action and are in many instances deleterious to the environment. The second generation chemicals have specific modes of action and meet modern environmental requirements. A disadvantage of these chemicals is the potency of target organisms to acquire resistance. This condition urged agrochemical industry to develop chemicals with new modes of action. Such chemicals can be developed by using natural bioactive products as leads in synthesis programmes. This paper decribes the progress that was made in the development of natural bioactive compounds in pest and disease control.     

Effects of neemgard on phytophagous and predacious mites and on Spiders

The effects of Neemgard, an acaricidal and fungicidal formulation obtained from neem (Azadirachta indica) seed kernels, on the phytophagous miteTetranychus cinnabarinus, the predacious mitePhytoseiulus persimilis, and the predatory spiderChiracanthium mildei, were investigated in laboratory experiments. Neemgard was highly toxic toT. cinnabarinus but had no toxic effect onC. mildei orP. persimilis. Another neem formulation—the insecticidal Neemix 45—caused conspicuous repellency, but no mortality, inT. cinnabarinus.     

Natural products in plant protection

Natural products can be used to control pests and diseases in crops. These products include anorganic compounds, but also a variety of plant extracts. In the beginning of this century active microbial extracts were discovered as well. Synthetic crop protection chemicals were developed from about 1940 onwards and sustained progress in modern agriculture. The first generation chemicals have aspecific modes of toxic action and are in many instances deleterious to the environment. The second generation chemicals have specific modes of action and meet modern environmental requirements. A disadvantage of these chemicals is the potency of target organisms to acquire resistance. This condition urged agrochemical industry to develop chemicals with new modes of action. Such chemicals can be developed by using natural bioactive products as leads in synthesis programmes.This paper decribes the progress that was made in the development of natural bioactive compounds in pest and disease control.     

Some arthropod pests and a semi-parasitic plant attacking neem (Azadirachta indica) in Kenya

In 1996 and 1997, several pests and a semi-parasitic plant species were identified as pests of the neem tree in Kenya, East Africa. Some damage was caused by a gall mite (Phyllocoptes sp.) at Mbita Point in western Kenya in a nursery and on older plants. The potentially dangerous scale insectAonidiella orientalis was widespread in western Kenya but not harmful for the time being. In coastal areas the semi-parasiteCassytha filiformis was very common. This plant is able to kill mature trees growing under unfavourable conditions. As in West Africa, fruit bats likeEpomophorus wahlbergi were useful due to their feeding activity on the pulp of ripe neem fruit, making consequently depulping (by man) was unnecessary.     

Regulation and use of biological control agents in Hungary

A wide range of biological control agents (BCAs) have been authorized and used in Hungary for the control of pests (including pathogens). BCAs are key elements of both integrated pest management and organic farming for different crops. Authorization of BCAs depends on the type of ‘active substance’. Micro‐organisms can be authorized under the EU Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009 as plant protection products (PPP), while macro‐organisms are not within its scope. Plant protection tools (traps, mating disruption) are registered at a national level in Hungary, although mass traps and mating disruption pheromones are considered to be PPP. Plant extracts can be authorized as PPP, but some of them can be approved as a ‘basic substance’ and in this case they do not need further authorization. In Hungary, the vast majority of macro‐organisms used as BCAs have been mainly used in greenhouses and polytunnels for the control of thrips, whiteflies, aphids, leaf mining flies, phytophagous mites and lepidopteran pests in vegetable and ornamental crops. Recently a non‐indigenous chalcid wasp, Torymus sinensis, has been successfully introduced for the control of the oriental chestnut gall wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus, on chestnut (Castanea sativa) on different sites.     

Bt maize and integrated pest management ‐ a European perspective

The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), the Mediterranean corn borer (Sesamia nonagrioides) and the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) are the main arthropod pests in European maize production. Practised pest control includes chemical control, biological control and cultural control such as ploughing and crop rotation. A pest control option that is available since 1996 is maize varieties that are genetically engineered (GE) to produce insecticidal compounds. GE maize varieties available today express one or several genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that target corn borers or corn rootworms. Incentives to growing Bt maize are simplified farm operations, high pest control efficiency, improved grain quality and ecological benefits. Limitations include the risk of resistance evolution in target pest populations, risk of secondary pest outbreaks and increased administration to comply with licence agreements. Growers willing to plant Bt maize in the European Union (EU) often face the problem that authorisation is denied. Only one Bt maize transformation event (MON810) is currently authorised for commercial cultivation, and some national authorities have banned cultivation. Spain is the only EU member state where Bt maize adoption levels are currently delivering farm income gains near full potential levels. In an integrated pest management (IPM) context, Bt maize can be regarded as a preventive (host plant resistance) or a responsive pest control measure. In any case, Bt maize is a highly specific tool that efficiently controls the main pests and allows combination with other preventive or responsive measures to solve other agricultural problems including those with secondary pests. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of volatiles and crude extracts of different plant materials on egg viability ofmaruca vitrata andclavigralla tomentosicollis

The effect of volatiles and aqueous extracts of black pepper,Piper guineense; neem seed,Azadirachta indica; garlic bulb,Allium sativum; and onion bulb,Allium cepa on egg viability ofMaruca vitrata Fab. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) andClavigralla tomentosicollis Stål (Heteroptera: Coreidae) was evaluated in laboratory experiments. Compared with the other treatments, volatiles of black pepper and garlic bulb were superior in reducing hatch of freshly laid (12-h-old) eggs of both species of insects. Volatiles of onion bulb and neem seed had no effect on egg hatch. When aqueous extracts of the various plant materials were tested at 5%, 10% and 15%, extracts of black pepper, neem seed and garlic bulb caused a severe reduction in egg hatch, with black pepper and garlic bulb providing the highest reduction at all concentrations tested in both insects. When black pepper and garlic bulb were compared at 5% for their activity in relation to egg age, the effect of black pepper decreased with increasing egg age but the performance of garlic was consistent across the various age groups tested in both insects. This result is indicative of the potential of using these plant materials and especially garlic for the management ofM. vitrata andC. tomentosicollis.     

Note: Effects of plant oils and adhesive stickers on the mycelia growth and conidiation ofVerticillium lecanii, a potential entomopathogen

Oils enhance the efficacy of entomopathogens used as augmentative biological control agents. The effect of cheap and commonly available various plant oils,viz., sunflower oil, neem oil, pongamia oil, castor oil, gingili oil, coconut oil, groundnut oil, and the adhesive stickers laboline and Triton-X100, onVerticillium lecanii, an entomopathogen recommended for the control of major sucking pests of horticultural importance, was studied. The first four oils screened, significantly enhanced mycelia growth and conidiation. Gingili oil, coconut oil, groundnut oil and Triton-X100 were found to be poor carriers ofV. lecanii in relation to mycelia growth and conidiation. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 14, 2005.