The Inhibitory Properties of Organic Pest Control Agents against Aphid (Aphididae: Homoptera) on Canola Brassica napus L. (Brassicaceae) Under Field Environment

Abstract. Resistance in aphid to pesticides appears to have been the cause of failure in controlling this pest in certain cropping systems. This study is to report the insecticidal property of botanicals and their potential as organic pest control agents for field management of aphid on Canola Brassica napus L. (Brassicaceae). Aphid species Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae) was frequently found in large number or of major agronomical importance at the experimental place. The effectiveness of four botanical pest control agents such as, Tobacco Nicotiana tabacum L., Garlic Allium sativum L., Goosefoot Chenopodium album L., and Aloe vera L., was assessed through foliar applications on canola (B. napus) crop. The toxicity of botanicals differed significantly depending upon the treatment applied. The A. vera (Aloeaceae) and to a greater extent N. tabacum at 10% concentration were the most effective botanicals and rated parallel for effectiveness in treated crop and had the least aphid's damage and enhanced yield across all the season followed by C. album and A. sativum relative to the untreated control that had the most damaged plants by pest resulting in reduced yield. Consequently, the performances of A. vera and N. tabacum as botanical pesticides were observed the best in reducing pest and seed damage, as these did not induce any adverse effect on plant and showed that there is a prospective to use them in an integrated pest management system, being safe and economical for oilseeds production and protection.