Articles
Effect of plant extracts on strawberry plants in relation to Melolontha spp. grubs damage
Article number
1354_23
Pages
181 – 186
Language
English
Abstract
Plant extracts for plant protection of organic crops are among the compounds allowed by the European Union legislation.
In an effort of finding possible plants extracts suitable for the control of Melolontha spp. grubs in soil, trials were performed in organic strawberry plantations characterized by a high incidence of grubs damage.
Extracts were obtained with the following plant species by mixing them at a 1:2 (w:v) ratio with either water (Allium sativum, Fagopyrum esculentum) or alcohol (mixtures of Urtica dioica, Mentha spicata and Artemisia absinthium). The extracts were analysed for their nutrient content and after application leaf samples were collected to determine micro- and macro-element content.
Three trials were performed independently applying the extracts to plants twice in June, with a 7-day interval.
Plants treated with water were used as control.
The number of damaged plants and the number of cockchafer grubs in the soil were assessed after a month.
All extracts, irrespective of the extraction method, were characterised by acid reaction and high nutrient content, especially in nitrate nitrogen and potassium. A. sativum resulted to have the highest nutrients content.
The application of the extracts significantly increased only the calcium content in strawberry leaves compared to the control, without impacting on plant nutrient status and growth.
The extracts obtained with U. dioica as a component of the mixture resulted the most consistent in increasing the number of damaged plants by cockchafer grubs in comparison to the control and also to the soil area surrounding the treated plots.
However, differences emerged depending on the trial location, which could be related to the soil characteristics. U. dioica could be suggested as a possible botanical extract to be used within an attract and kill strategy for Melolontha spp. grubs.
In an effort of finding possible plants extracts suitable for the control of Melolontha spp. grubs in soil, trials were performed in organic strawberry plantations characterized by a high incidence of grubs damage.
Extracts were obtained with the following plant species by mixing them at a 1:2 (w:v) ratio with either water (Allium sativum, Fagopyrum esculentum) or alcohol (mixtures of Urtica dioica, Mentha spicata and Artemisia absinthium). The extracts were analysed for their nutrient content and after application leaf samples were collected to determine micro- and macro-element content.
Three trials were performed independently applying the extracts to plants twice in June, with a 7-day interval.
Plants treated with water were used as control.
The number of damaged plants and the number of cockchafer grubs in the soil were assessed after a month.
All extracts, irrespective of the extraction method, were characterised by acid reaction and high nutrient content, especially in nitrate nitrogen and potassium. A. sativum resulted to have the highest nutrients content.
The application of the extracts significantly increased only the calcium content in strawberry leaves compared to the control, without impacting on plant nutrient status and growth.
The extracts obtained with U. dioica as a component of the mixture resulted the most consistent in increasing the number of damaged plants by cockchafer grubs in comparison to the control and also to the soil area surrounding the treated plots.
However, differences emerged depending on the trial location, which could be related to the soil characteristics. U. dioica could be suggested as a possible botanical extract to be used within an attract and kill strategy for Melolontha spp. grubs.
Publication
Authors
M. Tartanus, W. Kowalczyk, E. Malusà
Keywords
cockchafer white grubs, botanical extracts, Urtica dioica
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