Articles
Natural product-based biopesticides for sustainable control of the wild cochineal Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) in Morocco
Article number
1422_45
Pages
371 – 382
Language
English
Abstract
The Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) cactus, a traditional crop in Morocco, is threatened by the wild cochineal, Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) since its introduction in 2014. Good progress has been achieved in applying integrated pest management approach to control the wild cochineal using a combination of techniques such as resistant ecotypes, biological control and biopesticides.
Our research aimed to investigate the efficacy of different biopesticides from various sources against both D. opuntiae nymphs and adult females using new formulation techniques under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions.
The results showed that black soap solutions applied in combination with Capsicum annuum fruit extract or with aqueous extract of Atriplex halimus exhibited insecticidal activity exceeding 80% against females, 7 days after the second application.
The application of black soap combined with essential oils of Mentha pulegium and Origanum vulgare resulted in the greatest adult female mortality rates (>90%) under field conditions.
In addition, isolates of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and isolates of the entomopathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas koreensis expressed a higher toxicity on D. opuntiae nymphs and females under various conditions.
These findings suggested that the use of natural product-based biopesticides would offer an adequate and safe alternative to chemical pesticides for the management of D. opuntiae.
Our research aimed to investigate the efficacy of different biopesticides from various sources against both D. opuntiae nymphs and adult females using new formulation techniques under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions.
The results showed that black soap solutions applied in combination with Capsicum annuum fruit extract or with aqueous extract of Atriplex halimus exhibited insecticidal activity exceeding 80% against females, 7 days after the second application.
The application of black soap combined with essential oils of Mentha pulegium and Origanum vulgare resulted in the greatest adult female mortality rates (>90%) under field conditions.
In addition, isolates of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and isolates of the entomopathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas koreensis expressed a higher toxicity on D. opuntiae nymphs and females under various conditions.
These findings suggested that the use of natural product-based biopesticides would offer an adequate and safe alternative to chemical pesticides for the management of D. opuntiae.
Publication
Authors
K. El Fakhouri, C. Ramdani, R. Boulamtat, M. Sobeh, N. Taarji, I.M. Kadmiri, M. El Bouhssini
Keywords
Opuntia ficus-indica, cactus pear, bioinsecticides, formulation, integrated pest management
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