The potential of combining <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pasteuria penetrans</Emphasis> and neem (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Azadirachta indica</Emphasis>) formulations as a management system for root-knot nematodes on tomato

Initial applications of 10⁴ spores g⁻¹ of Pasteuria penetrans, and dried neem cake and leaves at 3 and 2% w:w, respectively, were applied to soil in pots. Juveniles of Meloidogyne javanica were added immediately to the pots (500, 5,000 or 10,000) before planting 6-week-old tomato seedlings. The tomatoes were sampled after 64 days; subsequently a second crop was grown for 59 days and a third crop for 67 days without further applications of P. penetrans and neem. There was significantly less root-galling in the P. penetrans combined with neem cake treatment at the end of the third crop and this treatment also had the greatest effect on the growth of the tomato plants. At the end of the third crop, 30% of the females were infected with P. penetrans in those treatments where spores had been applied at the start of the experiment. The effects of neem leaves and neem cake on the nematode population did not persist through the crop sequences but the potential for combining the amendments with a biological control agent such as P. penetrans is worthy of further evaluation.     

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.     

Enhanced soil sorption of methidathion using sewage sludge and surfactants

Batch experiments were carried out to examine the partitioning of an organophosphorus insecticide, methidathion, in non-amended agricultural soil and soil amended with urban sewage sludge and/or different types of surfactant. Kinetic data showed that sewage sludge significantly reduced adsorption rate, whereas amendment of the soil with the cationic surfactant tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TDTMA) at 10 x CMC (critical micellar concentration) increased the adsorption rate by a factor of 10. The adsorption isotherms were evaluated using the Freundlich model. The soil adsorption capacity for methidathion was enhanced by amendment with sewage sludge and even more significantly with TDTMA at 10 x CMC or combined with sewage sludge. TDTMA conferred a high hydrophobic character to the soil, enhancing the adsorption capacity of the rather hydrophobic methidathion. The amendment of soil both with sewage sludge and TDTMA combines the increased hydrophobicity with a higher surfactant retention by organic matter, due to an increase in cation exchange capacity, which promotes even more the adsorption capacity for the insecticide. An anionic surfactant, linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, and the non-ionic Tween 80 only induced a slight modification in the kinetics and adsorption of methidathion.     

Effects of Neem Seed Derivatives on Brown Planthopper Symbiotes

Populations of intracellular symbiotes declined significantly in brachypterous females of the brown planthopper,Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), which were stressed during nymphal development by caging them on IR20 rice plants treated with 3% neem oil, 5% neem seed kernel aqueous extract, or 10% neem cake aqueous extract. In addition, nymphs grew poorly and symbiote populations in prospective females declined, when reared on rice plants grown in soil treated with neem cake; this indicates systemic action of bioac-tive neem constituents. Addition of custard-apple oil to neem oil did not enhance the inhibitory effects. The effects of neem derivatives on the symbiotes may be either host-mediated — possibly through disturbed neuroendocrine homeostasis, or direct — leading to perturbations of host-symbiote equilibrium.     

Comparison of the impact of a neem seed-kernel extract formulation, “Margosan-O” and chlorpyrifos on non-target invertebrates inhabiting turf grass

Several laboratory studies have indicated that neem seed-kernel extracts, or the neem insecticide azadirachtin, are active against certain types of pestiferous insects but do not harm several types of beneficial arthropods. The abundance of several groups of invertebrates inhabiting a turf grass ecosystem was determined in 1991 after application of a neem-based insecticide formulation, “Margosan-O®” (MO; W. R. Grace & Co., Columbia, Maryland, USA) containing 3.0 g litre^?1 azadirachtin, and chlorpyrifos. MO was less detrimental than chlorpyrifos to most of the invertebrates studied. However, oribatid mites were more sensitive to MO than to chlorpyrifos. Sminthurid and non-sminthurid collembola were also susceptible to MO, although less so than to chlorpyrifos. MO had no significant effect on non-oribatid mites and spiders. Environmental implications of using selective versus broad-spectrum insecticides in agriculture are discussed.     

Management of root-knot nematode,Meloidogyne incognita,infesting Egyptian henbane,Hyoscyamus muticus L., by the use of nematicides and oilcakes

Studies were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of various nematicides: aldicarb (Temik 10G), and carbofuran (Furadan 3G) at 3 kg a.i./ha, mocap (Ethoprop 10G) at 5 kg a.i./ha and oilcakes ofcastor ( Ricinus communis L., 4.2% N), groundnut ( Arachis hypogea L., 7% N), linseed ( Linum usitassimum L., 4.7% N), neem ( Azadirchta indica Juss, 5.4% N) and mustard ( Brassica compestris L., 4.8% N) at 1 g N/kg of soil in the form of soil amendments for the management of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood infesting Egyptian henbane ( Hyoscyamus muticus L.). All the treatments resulted in a significant increase in length, fresh and dry weights ofhenbane plants as compared with untreated inoculated plants. The maximum improvement in plant growth parameters was observed in plants treated with mocap followed by neem cake, aldicarb, carbofuran, castor, mustard, groundnut and linseed cakes respectively. Application of nematicides and oilcakes suppressed the pathogenic effect of M. incognita on Hyoscyamus muticus and resulted in significant reduction in gall intensity and population density ofroot-knotnematode in roots and soil. In comparison to untreated inoculated plants the highest reduction in root-knot index was noted in plants treated with mocap, whereas the lowest reduction was observed in plants treated with linseed cake.     

Influence of neem on susceptibility of Beauveria bassiana and investigation of their combined efficacy against sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci on eggplant

A study on the compatibility of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana with neem was conducted against sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, on eggplant. Initially, three concentrations of neem (0.25%, 0.5% and 1.0%) were used to investigate the physiological responses of B. bassiana. Thereafter, above three concentrations of neem along with three concentrations of B. bassiana (10⁶, 10⁷ and 10⁸ conidia/ml) were used to investigate combined deterrence index, DI under two application methods (foliar and soil) of B. tabaci. Significant differences were observed among neem concentrations on all variables- germination percentage, vegetative growth, number of conidia, amount of biomass and proteolytic activity of B. bassiana. The reduction percentage of germination, vegetative growth, sporulation, biomass production and proteolytic activity of B. bassiana were as high as 12%, 13%, 35%, 38%, and 34%, respectively, to neem. Significant differences were also observed on deterrence index, DI (adult and oviposition) of B. tabaci. The current study investigated that the highest adult DI (80.15) and oviposition DI (88.25) occurred when 1.0% neem was combined with 10⁸ conidia/ml of B. bassiana. As the results show, neem is compatible with B. bassiana; and soil application of neem along with foliar application of B. bassiana might be useful for the control of B. tabaci.     

Persistence of chlorfenvinphos in soils

The persistence and behaviour of chlorfenvinphos, an organophosphorus insecticide, was studied on different soils. On a peaty soil the insecticide was only very slowly degraded, there being 70% of the applied dose remaining after 21 weeks and 30% after nearly 12 months. On the sandy soils, however, persistence was much shorter; between 3 and 15% of the applied dose remained after a period of 15 weeks. Rates of loss appear to be related to soil moisture conditions; in dry seasons, although the initial rate of loss was high, subsequent rate of breakdown was slower than in wetter seasons. The results are discussed relative to the efficiency of the insecticide for controlling brassica root fly.     

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.     

Dissipation behaviour of spinosad insecticide in soil, cabbage and cauliflower under subtropical conditions

BACKGROUND: Pesticides used on cauliflower and cabbage, which are important vegetable crops for India, must be investigated for the persistence and magnitude of their residues in the crops and soil to ensure human and environmental safety. The behaviour of spinosad, an effective insecticide with a favourable environmental profile, was investigated in field trials under subhumid and subtropical conditions. RESULTS: The persistence of spinosad in soil, cabbage and cauliflower was evaluated at two application rates (17.5 and 35.0 g ha(-1)) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). At 17.5 g ha(-1), spinosad persisted up to 7 days in soil, cabbage and cauliflower. However, at 35.0 g ha(-1), spinosad residues persisted up to 7 days in soil and 10 days in cabbage and cauliflower. CONCLUSION: The dissipation of the insecticide from soil, cabbage and cauliflower appeared to occur in a single phase and conformed to first-order kinetics. The half-lives of spinosad residues in cabbage, cauliflower and soil were calculated as 1.5, 2.8 and 2.8 days respectively for the 17.5 g ha(-1) treatment, and as 2.6, 2.0 and 2.0 days for the 35 g ha(-1) treatment.     

Interception and persistence of parathion and fenvalerate on cotton plants as a function of application method

Parathion (O,O-diethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate) and fenvalerate [(RS)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (RS)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrate] were applied by controlled droplet applicators (CDAs) and conventional hydraulic nozzles in refined soybean oil, soybean oil + water, or water, to mature cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum L.) as ULV (ultra-low volume, < 5 litre ha^?1), VLV(very low volume, 5-50 litre ha^?1), or LV(low volume, 50–200 litre ha^?1) carrier rates. The use of CDA or soybean oil applied as ULV and VLV sprays did not produce greater deposition or persistence for either insecticide during the 49-h test period following application. In general, insecticide persistence was greatest when applied with water or soybean oil + water as LV sprays using the conventional TX8 hydraulic nozzle.     

Environmental behaviour and translocation of imidacloprid in eggplant,cabbage and mustard

The recently registered insecticide, imidacloprid, was applied to three vegetable crops at 20 and 40 g AI ha⁻¹. The persistence of the parent insecticide and its translocation, along with the quantification of the metabolites formed on these crops are presented. The parent insecticide dissipated with a half‐life of 3–5 days and persisted longest on mustard leaves. The detectable limit of the HPLC method was 0.01 µg g⁻¹. The metabolites 1‐(6‐chloropyridin‐3‐yl‐methyl)imidazolidin‐2‐one and 6‐chloronicotinic acid were found to be translocated by day 10 in eggplant, cabbage leaves and mustard leaves but not in cabbage curd. The MRL of imidacloprid is not documented by the FAO/WHO on these crops and comparison of the MPI with the TMRC, calculated on the residue data generated in this study, establishes the safety of the schedule. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Einfluss von herbizidem Citronella-Öl und Neem (Azadirachtin) auf mikrobielle Aktivitäten im Boden

Within plant protection the products from citronella oil and neem mostly were used against pests. Their application for weed control is still at the beginning. This special application, however, needs higher dosages. The possible soil contamination and the missing microbiological-ecotoxicological information initiated our laboratory trial. The dosages used were relatively high as was necessary for weed control. They allowed the investigation of dose-effect relationships. In a loamy sand soil the biomass-related dehydrogenase activities as well as the carbon mineralization (actual and cumulative CO₂ formation) were measured. Because a soil with and without lucerne meal amendment was used the specific activity increase (=?LIA) could be calculated for both microbial parameters. Mostly both microbial activities were dose-dependently stimulated by the neem compound. Citronella oil at the beginning inhibited with the higher dosages and later on stimulated these activities. Most of the stimulations may be caused by the microbial decomposition of the organic compounds amended to the soil, which overlie some expected biocidal effects. This allows a preliminary estimation of the microbiological-ecotoxicological effects as less critical. Depending on the very high amounts needed for weed control, however, a final evaluation should consider additional investigations with further microbial activities and other soil organisms.     

Fonofos residues in an organic soil and vegetable crops following treatment of the soil with the insecticide

Fonofos (O-ethyl S-phenyl ethylphosphonodithioate) was applied to an organic soil as band treatment at the rates of 1.12 and 2.24 kg/ha. The persistence of the insecticide and its translocation into onions and two rotation crops (lettuces and carrots) was studied under field conditions. Proportionally more residues persisted in the soil from the higher rate of application. In autumn, 4 months after soil treatment, about 40-48 % of the initially recovered levels of fonofos remained in soil. However, the amount of fonofos present at the harvest time, during the second growing season was only 16–26% of the insecticide concentration found in spring. Onions harvested 4 months after application of fonofos had no detectable residue (> 0.005 mg/kg) whereas lettuces and carrots grown in the following year contained fonofos in various amounts. At the lower rate of application the insecticide residues in lettuces and carrots were < 0.005 and 0.025 mg/kg, respectively, and those from the higher application rate were 0.012 and 0.036 mg/kg. About 72–80% of the residue could be removed by peeling the carrots. No residue of the oxygen analogue, O-ethyl S-phenyl ethylphos-phonothioate (I) was detected in any soil or crop samples.     

Chlorpyrifos degradation in soil at termiticidal application rates

Chlorpyrifos [O,O-diethyl O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl) phosphorothioate] is an organophosphorus insecticide applied to soil to control pests both in agricultural and in urban developments. Typical agricultural soil applications (0.56 to 5.6 kg ha^?1) result in initial soil surface residues of 0.3 to 32 μg g^?1. In contrast, termiticidal soil barrier treatments, a common urban use pattern, often result in initial soil residues of 1000 μg g^?1 or greater. The purpose of the present investigation was to understand better the degradation of chlorpyrifos in soil at termiticidal application rates and factors affecting its behaviour. Therefore, studies with [¹⁴C]chlorpyrifos were conducted under a variety of conditions in the laboratory. Initially, the degradation of chlorpyrifos at 1000 μg g^?1 initial concentration was examined in five different soils from termite-infested regions (Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Texas) under standard conditions (25°C, field moisture capacity, darkness). Degradation half-lives in these soils ranged from 175 to 1576 days. The major metabolite formed in chlorpyrifos-treated soils was 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyrid-inol, which represented up to 61% of applied radiocarbon after 13 months of incubation. Minor quantities of [¹⁴C]carbon dioxide (< 5%) and soil-bound residues (? 12%) were also present at that time. Subsequently, a factorial experiment examining chlorpyrifos degradation as affected by initial concentration (10, 100, 1000 μg g^?1), soil moisture (field moisture capacity, 1.5 MPa, air dry), and temperature 15, 25, 35°C) was conducted in the two soils which had displayed the most (Texas) and least (Florida) rapid rates of degradation. Chlorpyrifos degradation was significantly retarded at the 1000 μg g^?1 rate as compared to the 10 μg g^?1 rate. Temperature also had a dramatic effect on degradation rate, which approximately doubled with each 10°C increase in temperature. Results suggest that the extended (3–24 + years) termiticidal efficacy of chlorpyrifos observed in the field may be due both to the high initial concentrations employed (termite LC ₅₀ = 0.2– 2 μg g^?1) and the extended persistence which results from employment of these rates. The study also highlights the importance of investigating the behaviour of a pesticide under the diversity of agricultural and urban use scenarios in which it is employed.     

Mobility and persistence of isazofos in granular and microencapsulated formulations in two soils,using field lysimeters

Field lysimeters were used to assess the mobility and persistence of microencapsulated and granular formulations of the soil insecticide, isazofos, in Plainfield sand, and the microencapsulated formulation in Vittoria loam soil, using two moisture regimes, rainfall and supplementary watering. Mobility and persistence comparisons were made with an earlier lysimeter study which used emulsifiable concentrate (EC) and granular formulations of isazofos in Plainfield sand. Isazofos mobility in Plainfield sand increased in the following order for the tested formulations: microencapsulated < granular ≦ EC. Atrazine, which was applied as a suspension concentrate to all lysimeters as an internal reference, appeared to exhibit retarded disappearance rates during initial stages of the study when in the presence of granular isazofos in the rainfall treatment. The degradation of isazofos was faster in Vittoria loam than in Plainfield sand for the microencapsulated formulation in the field lysimeters (only formulation tested), and for all three formulations in a laboratory study.     

Systemic effects of a neem insecticide onLiriomyza huidobrensis larvae

In an effort to expand the spectrum of larvicides effective against the pea leafminer,Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard), we studied the effects of a neem-based insecticide (Neemix-45) on the development of the leafminer under laboratory conditions. Bean plants were treated with a soil drench of 1, 5, 10 or 25 ppm azadirachtin or by dipping leaves in 1 or 15 ppm azadirachtin at various times before or during the development of the leafminer. Treating the plants with the neem insecticide before exposure to egg-laying adults had a greater effect on inhibiting the development of pupae and adult eclosion than treatment at the 1st-instar larval stage. The systemic effects from a soil drench had a greater adverse effect on pupation and adult eclosion than leaf dipping. Drenching plants with 1 ppm azadirachtin 24 h before exposure to adults had a greater effect (0% adult eclosion) than leaf dipping at the same time period and concentration (15. 6% adult eclosion). Similar results were obtained when drenching plants infested with lst-instar larvae with 1 ppm azadirachtin (11. 7% eclosion)vs dipping leaves at the same time period and concentration (44. 7% eclosion).     

Wirkung von Neem-Produkten auf höhere Pflanzen und ihre mögliche Nutzung zur Reduzierung der Seitentriebe von Kulturpflanzen sowie zur Unkrautbekämpfung – eine Bestandsaufnahme

The neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) offers many possibilities of usage. In plant protection mostly the insecticidal activity of neem products is important. In different parts of the plant several biologically active substances occur. One is the active ingredient azadirachtin, which already is commercially used as an insecticide against insect pests. Some active ingredients of neem may be systemically taken up by the treated plants. Often a rapid decomposition occurred which was enhanced by UV radiation. Therefore formulated neem products often need a UV blocker to elongate their activity. After the application of neem products within plant protection sometimes phytotoxic effects could be observed on different plant species. This phytotoxicity can be used to reduce suckers on tobacco plants and recently also on eucalyptus plants. The existing trials to use neem products for weed control mostly concentrated on the direct treatment of some parasitic weeds like Cuscuta, Orobanche and Striga as well as on a few other weeds (e.g. Echinochloa crus-galli). Mostly the growth of the weeds which were often repeatedly treated with high dosages was reduced, but many plants remained still alive. At present the potential of neem products for an effective weed control is not sufficiently investigated. As a consequence of some already known insecticidal and microbiocidal activities of many neem products also side effects on parts of the epigeic and soil fauna and on the nitrification should be considered after usage for weed control.     

The production of azadirachtin by in-vitro tissue cultures of neem,Azadirachta indica

Callus produced from leaves of a Ghanaian strain of the neem tree, Azadirachta indica A. Juss has been shown to produce the natural insecticide azadirachtin when grown in a defined medium. The azadirachtin was isolated by standard procedures of solvent partition and column chromatography monitored by supercritical fluid chromatography. Biological activity was monitored with antifeedant tests using the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria Forsk.). The azadirachtin was identified by chromatography on three independent chromatographic systems (SFC, HPLC & TLC) and two thin-layer colour tests. It has 100% antifeedant activity at < 0.04mg litre^?1. The yield of azadirachtin was 0.0007% based on dry weight of callus.     

Soil application of azadirachtin and 3-tigloyl-azadirachtol to control western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): translocation and persistence in bean plants

To study the systemic effects of active neem ingredients, the substrate of bean plants was treated with a 170 g kg(-1) azadirachtin (NeemAzal-U; Trifolio-M GmbH, Lahnau, Germany, registration pending). This product was used at a dose rate of 10 mg AZA (azadirachtin a) and 1.2 mg 3-tigloyl-azadirachtol (azadirachtin b) per treated bean plant. Afterwards, the translocation and persistence of AZA and 3-tigloyl-azadirachtol and the effects on western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), were studied. Residues of AZA and 3-tigloyl-azadirachtol from substrates with different contents of organic matter [pure culture substrate (CS), CS-sand mixture] and from various plant parts were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The dissipation trends of AZA and 3-tigloyl-azadirachtol were similar within the same substrates. A slower decline of both active ingredients was measured with CS than with CS-sand mixture. Residue analysis of the bean plants showed that only small proportions of the initial amounts of AZA and 3-tigloyl-azadirachtol applied to the substrate were present in the plant (0.3-8.1%). Variable amounts of residues of the active components in relation to plant parts and time of analysis indicated a different translocation pattern for the two active ingredients. Higher residues of the active ingredients were found in roots and stems after neem application using CS, whereas higher residues were found in leaves after CS-sand mixture treatments. Mortality of F. occidentalis after NeemAzal-U soil applications reached up to 95% on CS-sand mixture, compared with 86% in CS.