Articles
Effect of tree tobacco leaf extracts on mortality rate of carmine cochineal
Article number
1343_72
Pages
569 – 576
Language
English
Abstract
The cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill.) is a very important plant to northern Ethiopia used as food for the community and feed for their livestock, as fence and soil conservation, and to generate income.
Recently, the cactus pear has been threatened by an exotic insect called carmine cochineal, Dactylopius coccus Costa (Hemiptera: Dactylopidae) infestation.
For maintaining and sustaining the cactus pear and its socio-economic and environmental values, developing effective, affordable, environment-friendly and available means of D. coccus control options is of paramount important.
Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the effect of botanical extracts from tree tobacco, Nicotiana glauca G. (Solanaceae) leaves, also locally known as Kotsili Mariam, on mortality of D. coccus. The experiments were carried out at two farm sites namely Agulae and Tsigreda, Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia.
The results showed that the percentage of cochineal mortality at both sites were 100% at a treatment combination of 480 g plant extract with 123 mL solvent at 72 h after spray.
The effect of stock solutions which were prepared at different periods significantly affected mortality percentage of cochineal within 72 and 144 h after the first spray.
The study shows plant extracts from tobacco leaves have an insecticidal effect causing high mortality of cochineal insects.
It can be inferred that use of N. glauca leaves extract as botanical could be one of the methods to control this devastating insect pest.
Recently, the cactus pear has been threatened by an exotic insect called carmine cochineal, Dactylopius coccus Costa (Hemiptera: Dactylopidae) infestation.
For maintaining and sustaining the cactus pear and its socio-economic and environmental values, developing effective, affordable, environment-friendly and available means of D. coccus control options is of paramount important.
Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the effect of botanical extracts from tree tobacco, Nicotiana glauca G. (Solanaceae) leaves, also locally known as Kotsili Mariam, on mortality of D. coccus. The experiments were carried out at two farm sites namely Agulae and Tsigreda, Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia.
The results showed that the percentage of cochineal mortality at both sites were 100% at a treatment combination of 480 g plant extract with 123 mL solvent at 72 h after spray.
The effect of stock solutions which were prepared at different periods significantly affected mortality percentage of cochineal within 72 and 144 h after the first spray.
The study shows plant extracts from tobacco leaves have an insecticidal effect causing high mortality of cochineal insects.
It can be inferred that use of N. glauca leaves extract as botanical could be one of the methods to control this devastating insect pest.
Publication
Authors
Z. Hailu, H.G. Gebreziher, E. Abrha
Keywords
cactus pear, Dactylopius coccus Costa, insect control, Nicotiana glauca leaf extract
Groups involved
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