The implementation of environmental friendly methods for the management of key crop pests is strongly required both by public opinion and European regulation. Among sustainable control tools botanical insecticides, and in particular plant essential oils (EOs) have shown a good potential in controlling insect pests, as well as managing plant pathogens. Tomato has a very high social and economic relevance in Europe and the whole Mediterranean area. Several key insect pests (e.g. Tuta absoluta, aphids and whiteflies) affect the tomato industry in the Mediterranean. Their control often relies on agrochemicals which can disrupt the existing integrated pest management programs (IPM) and have unwanted side effects. In this context, laboratory trials were conducted to assess the insecticidal activity, through contact and ingestion exposure route of seven commercial essential oils (EOs), against T. absoluta. Toxicity to various instars and repellency towards adults, as well as the potential toxic effects on tomato plants, were evaluated. Chemical characterization of the tested EOs was carried out by GC-MS and GC/FID. Both the zeta potential (ζ) and the particle size distribution of the formulations developed were assessed. Fennel and anise nanoemulsions caused significant mortality of T. absoluta eggs. In the ingestion toxicity trials, all the tested EOs caused significant mortality. Fennel, artemisia, sage, lavender and peppermint EOs significantly reduced the number of laid eggs on sprayed plants. The formulations developed had nanometric scale dimensions (113-146 nm) and good stability over time (average ζ: -15.4 mV). Chemical characterization of the tested EOs highlighted some simpler [e.g. anise and clove EOs were mainly constituted of anethol (87%) and eugenol (91%), respectively] and some more complex phytochemical profiles. These results provide the scientific bases for further studies aimed at integrating these EOs into IPM packages in tomato.
Potential of Plant extracts as control tool for the south american tomato Pinworm
Campolo O;PALMERI, Vincenzo;
2018-01-01
Abstract
The implementation of environmental friendly methods for the management of key crop pests is strongly required both by public opinion and European regulation. Among sustainable control tools botanical insecticides, and in particular plant essential oils (EOs) have shown a good potential in controlling insect pests, as well as managing plant pathogens. Tomato has a very high social and economic relevance in Europe and the whole Mediterranean area. Several key insect pests (e.g. Tuta absoluta, aphids and whiteflies) affect the tomato industry in the Mediterranean. Their control often relies on agrochemicals which can disrupt the existing integrated pest management programs (IPM) and have unwanted side effects. In this context, laboratory trials were conducted to assess the insecticidal activity, through contact and ingestion exposure route of seven commercial essential oils (EOs), against T. absoluta. Toxicity to various instars and repellency towards adults, as well as the potential toxic effects on tomato plants, were evaluated. Chemical characterization of the tested EOs was carried out by GC-MS and GC/FID. Both the zeta potential (ζ) and the particle size distribution of the formulations developed were assessed. Fennel and anise nanoemulsions caused significant mortality of T. absoluta eggs. In the ingestion toxicity trials, all the tested EOs caused significant mortality. Fennel, artemisia, sage, lavender and peppermint EOs significantly reduced the number of laid eggs on sprayed plants. The formulations developed had nanometric scale dimensions (113-146 nm) and good stability over time (average ζ: -15.4 mV). Chemical characterization of the tested EOs highlighted some simpler [e.g. anise and clove EOs were mainly constituted of anethol (87%) and eugenol (91%), respectively] and some more complex phytochemical profiles. These results provide the scientific bases for further studies aimed at integrating these EOs into IPM packages in tomato.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
