Effects of different pesticide management options on the population dynamics of aphids, Lipaphis erysimi pseudobrassicae (Davis) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), their natural enemies and the yield of cabbage
Loading...
Date
2017
Authors
Forchibe, E.E.
Fening, K.O.
Afreh-Nuamah, K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Science and Development
Abstract
Cabbage is a popular vegetable grown in Ghana and it serves as an important source of livelihood for smallscale
farmers. Aphids are major pests of cabbage in the field and as such, farmers have resorted to the
indiscriminate use of insecticides which have had adverse environmental and health implications. The
current study sought to investigate the effect of commonly used management options on the population
of aphids, Lipaphis erysimi pseudobrassicae (Davis) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae),
their natural enemies and the yield of cabbage. Cabbage seedlings were planted during the major and
minor seasons of 2015 in 3 x 3 m plots and the treatments used included Chlorpyrifos, Lambda-cyhalothrin,
hot pepper, Capsicum futescens fruit extract, neem, Azadirachta indica seed extract, solution of local soap
(alata samina) with water as a control. Ten cabbage leaves per treated plot were randomly sampled
weekly into 70% alcohol to obtain actual counts of aphids and their natural enemies. The least number
of aphids was recorded in the neem treated plots, while Lambda-cyhalothrin treated plots recorded the
highest number of aphids. The control and biopesticide treated plots recorded the highest numbers of
the natural enemies (hoverflies, ladybirds and spiders). The highest yield and marketability was recorded
in the neem treated plots for both seasons. The yield and marketability of cabbages obtained from plots
sprayed with alata samina and pepper was also higher than that obtained from the control, Lambdacyhalothrin
and Chlorpyrifos treated plots, with the insecticide treated plots recording the least number
of marketable heads. It offered the most promising solution. The current findings suggest that the crude
neem seed extract, and to some extent local soap, alata samina, and pepper, are effective and safe options
for managing aphids on cabbage.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Pesticides, Mustard aphid, Green peach aphid, Neem, Natural enemies
Citation
Forchibe, E.E., Fening, K.O.,Afreh-Nuamah, K. (2017). Effects of different pesticide management options on the population dynamics of aphids, Lipaphis erysimi pseudobrassicae (Davis) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), their natural enemies and the yield of cabbage. Journal of Science and development. 1(1), 44p