Botanical pesticides

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa), has been proposed as a new crop that might be of interest to organic farmers in the North Carolina and other states in the United States. However, little is known about how organic farmers view this crop. We conducted a survey among North Carolina certified organic growers to ascertain their knowledge of, and willingness to adopt, industrial hemp. Contact information was obtained from a database of certified organic farmers in North Carolina and the growers were contacted by email and directed to complete an online questionnaire. Growers were asked a wide range of questions about farm characteristics, technology adoption, interest toward industrial hemp, and policy issues regarding hemp adoption. A total of 245 farmers were contacted; 64 started the survey and 35 responded to all questions. Our results indicate that 85% of North Carolina organic growers are interested in growing hemp on their farms and the majority wanted to learn more about the crop production practices, adapted cultivars, and legality of growing it. Seventy-five percent expressed interest in being certified growers while 52% wanted to grow industrial hemp primarily for cannabidiol (CBD) oil. Most (65%) respondents indicate they aspired to be among the first farmers in their area to grow and sell hemp. Growers who have tried new crops or new farming technology in the last three years were more likely to adopt industrial hemp production. These findings will help decision-makers understand the critical concerns of growers who are willing to adopt industrial hemp as an alternative income-generating enterprise.

ABSTRAK Kegiatan pemberdayaan santri pondok pesantren Al-As'adiyah berlokasi di Desa Sered, Kecamatan Madukara, Kabupaten Banjarnegara.Potensi desa Sered berdasarkan kondisi geografis dan sumber daya manusianya, sangat sesuai untuk pengembangan pertanian melalui pemanfaatan lahan pekarangan sekitar pondok pesantren Al-As'adiyah.Rencana pengembangan pesantren Al-As'adiyah yaitu adanya kemandirian santri dalam pemenuhan pangan melalui budidaya tanaman secara organik berbasis pestisida nabati.Metode yang digunakan dalam kegiatan ini yaitu pemberian materi dan demonstrasi.Pemberian materi tentang berbagai tumbuhan sumber pestisida nabati, kandungan racun dari tumbuhan sumber pestisida, dan organisme pengganggu tanaman sasarannya. Demonstrasi dilakukan dengan melakukan praktik pembuatan pestisida nabati berbahan daun gamal (Gliricidia sepium) dan cara aplikasinya. Transfer teknologi pembuatan pestisida daun gamal memberikan manfaat berupa peningkatan pengetahuansantri tentang pemanfaatan tumbuhan sebagai bahan racun organisme pengganggu tanaman. Santri juga antusias dalam mengikuti kegiatan pelatihan.Hal ini dapat diukur dengan giat dan terampilnya para santri dalam melakukan praktik pembuatan pestisida nabati dan adanya beberapa pertanyaan-pertanyaan yang diajukan kepada narasumber. ABSTRACT The empowerment activities in Al-As'adiyah boarding school is located in Sered village, Madukara District, Banjarnegara. The Sered village potential based on geography and human resources, is very suitable for the development of agriculture through the use of yard area around the boarding school of Al-As'adiyah. The development plan of Al-As'adiyah boarding school is the islamic students (santri) independence in food fulfillment through plant-based organic pesticide plant. The method use in this activity were provision of material and demonstration. Providing material about the various of organic pesticides plant sources, toxicity of pesticides plant sources, and the target plant pests organism. The demonstration was conducted by manufacturing practices botanical pesticide made fromgliricidia/quickstick (Gliricidia sepium)and how the application. Technology transfer of gliricidae manufacturing provides the benefits of increasing the santri knowledge about the use of gliricidia as source poison to plant pestsorganism. Students were enthusiastic in participating in training activities. This can be measured by the studentsskill and component in botanical pesticide manufacturing practices and the existence of several questions given to the informant.

It has been reported that salicylic acid (SA) induces both immediate spike and long lasting phases of oxidative burst represented by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion radical (O2
-). In general, in the earlier phase of oxidative burst, apoplastic peroxidase are likely involved and in the late phase of the oxidative burst, NADPH oxidase is likely involved. Key signaling events connecting the 2 phases of oxidative burst are calcium channel activation and protein phosphorylation events. To date, the known earliest signaling event in response to exogenously added SA is the cell wall peroxidase-catalyzed generation of O2
- in a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-dependent manner. However, this model is incomplete since the source of the initially required H2O2 could not be explained. Based on the recently proposed role for H2O2-independent mechanism for ROS production catalyzed by plant peroxidases (Kimura et al., 2014, Frontiers in Plant Science), we hereby propose a novel model for plant peroxidase-catalyzed oxidative burst fueled by SA.

High-frequency doses of chemical pesticides cause environmental pollution with high pesticide residues. In addition, increasing insecticide resistance in many insect pests requires novel pest control methods. Nanotechnology could be a promising field of modern agriculture, and is receiving considerable attention in the development of novel nano-agrochemicals, such as nanoinsectticides and nanofertilizers. This study assessed the effects of the lethal and sublethal concentrations of chlorantraniliprole, thiocyclam, and their nano-forms on the development, reproductive activity, oxidative stress enzyme activity, and DNA changes at the molecular level of the polyphagous species of black cutworm Agrotis ipsilon. The results revealed that A. ipsilon larvae were more susceptible to the nano-formsthan the regular forms of both nano chlorine and sulfur within the chlorantraniliprole and thiocyclam insecticides, respectively, with higher toxicities than the regular forms (ca. 3.86, and ca.2....

The global food demand has been rapidly increasing due to expansion in the worldwide populace resulting in the waning of natural resources. The developed and emerging nations are tapping all means to feed the global population. In a run of these measures, many things brought ecological catastrophes and devastation to many organisms. In our farmlands, most of the crops are affected by a specific class of insects called pests. These pests are feeding on our crops, resulting in the collapsing of our agricultural produce. To save these crops from pests, we manufactured chemicals called pesticides which turned out to be very useful in eradicating the pests. Still, in the meantime, the excessive use of these pesticides brought massive devastation in many ways. Notably, most of the crops are dependent on cross-pollination, carried out by various types of insects. Around 80% of the crops worldwide are pollinated by insects (entomophily), especially the bees and other insect species of different families. But, with the frequent utilization of chemical pesticides, these pollinators and other beneficial insects are severely affected, resulting in a threat to their populations. The utilization of chemical pesticides affects insects, but their negative impact is also noticed in humans, aquatic organisms, birds, soil, water and the environment. So, the phytochemicals in botanical extracts are proven to be very much effective in preventing these dreadful crises due to a positive response by non-target organisms and low impact on our habitats and human health.

The plant oils and soaps are known from many years as promising eco friendly insecticides used for control of the various soft-body insects. In present study in vitro trials with three soap formulations on the base of sunflower oil were conducted in order to be evaluated their potential to be developed as naturally friendly fungicides for controlling of apple scab. This formulations, in the future can be viable alternative of present days commercial fungicides used for the management of apple scab as cheap, low toxic and easy to be manufacture plant protection products. All formulations were tested at 1.0 % (v/v) concentrations by the method of leaf disks and germ tube inhibition method. The results show that tested soap on the base of sunflower oil amended with potassium chloride was able to achieve 100 % inhibition of the mycelium and germ tube germination of the apple scab pathogen (Venturia inaequalis) at 1.0 % (v/v) concentration. Other soap formulations do not show any effectiveness to the tested phytopathogen. No phytotoxic manifestations onto treated apple leaves were observed during the leaf disks test. The conducted trials reveal that although the created soap formulation are very similar (all are on the base of sunflower soap neutralized with boric acid) the addition (mixing) of different substances like potassium chloride can completely change their action and effectiveness. This make soaps promising and good alternative to the expensive fungicides especially in the area of organic agriculture.

In urban and peri-urban areas in West Africa, the cabbage Brassica oleracea L. (Brassicaceae) is protected using repeated high doses of synthetic insecticides. After a brief description of available IPM components, this paper presents a literature review focused on the botanical extracts that have been experimented with at the laboratory or in the field in West Africa against major cabbage pests. The literature reviewed mentions 19 plant species from 12 families used for cabbage protection in the subregion. The species most used are Azadirachta indica, Capsicum frutescens, Ocimum gratissimum and Ricinus communis. An overview of the world literature showed that a total of 13 plant species belonging to 8 families used to control cabbage pests are reported from the rest of Africa, and 140 plant species belonging to 43 families from the rest of the world. The most commonly used and tested plant species against insect pests in the three geographical areas considered is A. indica.

Penelitian sebelumya bahwa ekstrak daun gulma siam (Chromolaena odorata) berpotensi sebagai insektisida pada beberapa jenis hama. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui keefektifan ekstrak daun gulma siam terhadap mortalitas dan perkembangan Aphis craccivora tanaman kacang panjang. Penelitian dilaksanakan di rumah kaca Program Studi Agroteknologi Politeknik Banjarnegara pada bulan Maret hingga Agustus 2015. Uji efektifitas ekstrak daun gulma siam di rumah kaca menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok Lengkap dengan 7 perlakuan dan 4 ulangan. Perlakuan yang diteliti yaitu insektisida kimia sintesis deltametrin, ekstrak daun gulma siam 0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, dan 30%. Analisis data menggunakan Uji F, apabila berbeda nyata dilanjutkan dengan UJGD pada taraf 5%. Ekstrak daun gulma siam memiliki potensi mengendaliakan kutu daun A. craccivora. Pengujian di rumah kaca pada aplikasi ekstrak gulma siam belum efektif mengendaliakan A. craccivora, mortalitas A. craccivora pada 24 jam setelah perlakuan dengan konsentrasi 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, dan 30% berturut-turut 33,75%; 41,25%; 55,00%; 50,00%; dan 55,00%. Konsentrasi ekstrak gulma siam 10%, 15%, 25%, dan 30% paling efektif menurunkan populasi kutu daun dibandingkan dengan konsentrasi ekstrak gulma siam lainnya, tetapi belum mampu menurunkan populasi kutu daun apabila dibandingkan dengan insektisida kimia sintesis.

This paper overviews the contamination caused by persistent organochlorines in endocrine system of mammals. To overcome yield loss in crops plants via pests, it is necessary to control them. There are a number of pest control strategies. But in developing and under developed countries, most of the farmers are using pesticides without a proper way and proper knowledge. Out of total applied pesticide, <0.1% of pesticides reach their target pests. Due to this reason, more than 99.9% of pesticides applied affect the public health, contaminate soil, water, and natural resources of our environment. The contamination by organochlorine residues is due to continuous usage in developing and under developed countries. In field and laboratory experiments, it was found that organochlorines are most persistent in nature which causes adverse effects on endocrine system in mammals. Endocrine disruption induces Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Thyrotoxicosis, malformation of glands and reproductive organs, histological changes in organ system and homeostasis of mammals. Therefore low persistent insecticides and plant derivatives must be applied for pest control because they are safer to our biota and ecosystem.

Abamectin, fosthiazate and mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices) and their combinations were evaluated against
the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) populations and galls formation on tomato plants cv. Super strain B
under greenhouse conditions. The results indicated that fosthiazate and abamectin proved to be the most effective
against the root-knot populations / 250g soil with 74.7 and 74% reductions, respectively. Abamectin alone and
fosthiazate in the half dose mixed with G. intraradices which recorded reduction in galls formation by 60.7 and 59.7%,
respectively. All treatments induced the growth of the shoot system, and the highest increase in shoot length (174.9%)
was recorded with abamectin, while G. intraradices alone recorded the highest increase in shoot weight (56.8%).
Abamectin in the half dose combined with the fungus G. intraradices produced the least increase in shoot length and
weight.

Pest control through integrated pest management systems stands as a very convenient sustainable hazard-free alternative to pesticides, which are a growing global concern if overused. The ability of the soprano pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) to control the rice borer moth (Chilo supressalis), which constitutes a major pest of rice around the world, was studied in the Ebre Delta, Northeastern Iberia. Evidence was found on the ability of this particular bat species to control borer infestations: (a) the moth was consumed during at least the last two peaks of the moth activity, when most crop damage is done; (b) the activity of bats significantly increased with moth abundance in the rice paddies; (c) the pest levels have declined in the study area (Buda Island, Eastern Ebre Delta) after the deployment of bat boxes and their subsequent occupation by soprano pipistrelles. The value of the ecosystem service provided by bats was estimated at a minimum of 21€ per hectare, equivalent to the avoided pesticide expenditure alone. We suggest that this natural service can be enhanced by providing bat populations with artificial roosts in rice paddies were some key ecosystem features are present.

ABSTRACT

This paper talks about pesticides, the history of the development in the world and in Brazil.
In its conceptual, historical and classification dimensions. As well as the interaction between pesticide and environment, water, soil contamination, human health and bees. And, finally, listing some of the principles of environmental law applicable to the topic.
The work does not intend to exhaust the theme, on the contrary, it has as scope to open the discussion.

Key words: Environmental Law, pesticides, principles of environmental law.

Two field experiments were carried out in two successive seasons in two sites in Gezira State. The experiments aimed at studying the efficacy of some botanical oils including sesame, cotton, groundnut, sunflower and petroleum oil on thrips, Thrips tabaci (Lind.) population compared to the standard commercial insecticide Karate 5% EC (lambda-cyhalothrin)..The results indicated that all oil treatments were apparently very effective against the onion thrips compared to the untreated control. Significant differences in the number of insects were encountered on onion plant in both sites in season 2006/07. However, during season 2007/08 highly significant differences were found in the onion thrips population in both sites. Sesame oil was found to be more effective in controlling the pest followed by groundnut oil, petroleum oil, cotton oil and sunflower oil, respectively. The oil treatments decreased thrips population within 2-7days. The yield data showed highly significant differences between treatments in the two testing seasons with exception to site two in 2007/08 season. However, a remarkable yield increase was recorded from Karate treatment throughout the course of the study and in both seasons. Generally, the control treatment scored the lowest yield throughout the test period which explains the importance of the pest damage if left unchecked.

Plant extracts contained secondary metabolites, which may protect the plants from insect herbivores, pathogens and vertebrate herbivores in one or many ways. The present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the toxic property of the Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck fruit peel and seed extracts on third instar nymphs of Paracoccus marginatus (Williams and Granara de Willink), at the Department of Agricultural Entomology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai during August 2018 to March 2019. Probit analysis was carried out for the methanol extract from C. sinensis peels and seeds on P. marginatus. The LC50 values for the methanolic seed and peel extract from C. sinensis on P. marginatus in different methods of toxicity tests were 0.90 % and 1.06 %, respectively by leaf contamination method, 1.07 % and 1.28 %, respectively by dry film method and 0.53 % and 0.57 %, respectively by topical application method. The LT50 values for the C. sinensis methanolic seed and peel extract on P. marginatus were 38.75 hours and 44.72 hours, respectively by leaf contamination method, 40.62 hours and 45.45 hours, respectively by dry film method and 26.40 hours and 27.91 hours, respectively, by topical application method. Among the three different toxicity methods tested by using methanol extract of C. sinensis peels and seeds against P. marginatus, topical application method proved to be most effective against P. marginatus having lowest LC50 values. This study results concludes that the methanolic seed and peel extract are toxic to the nymphs of P. marginatus.

We studied the effects of mono-, di-, tri-, and hexamers of glucosamine (GlcN) and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) on oxidative and calcium signals in transgenic tobacco suspension culture (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Bright Yellow-2, cell line CST-1) expressing aequorin. Addition of (GlcN)n to the cells induced an immediate oxidative burst monitored by superoxide-specific chemiluminescence of CLA (CLA-CL). The superoxide generated by (GlcN)n was converted to hydrogen peroxide, causing a transient increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c) which was monitored by ([Ca2+]c-dependent luminescence of aequorin. The longer the polymer of (GlcN)n the greater the effect. The (GlcN)n-dependent CLA-CL in the culture was inhibited by a peroxidase inhibitor, but not by a NADPH oxidase inhibitor. The (GlcN)n-dependent CLA-CL was also observed in the extracellularly excreted peroxidase preparation and also in horseradish peroxidase reaction mixture. We have previously obtained similar results using salicylic acid and aromatic amines. Addition of (GlcNAc)n also resulted in an elevation of [Ca2+]c. No superoxide generation preseding [Ca2+]c elevation was detected using CLA, but gradual accumulation of superoxide signal was detected with electron spin resonance spectroscopy using Tiron as a spin trapper. No effect of GlcNAc monomer and oligomers shorter than hexamer on [Ca2+]c elevation or superoxide generation was observed.
In various plants, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the important early events in the active defense against pathogens. ROS can be induced by pathogen invation or treatment with elicitors....

The study was aimed to determine the responses of 9 commercial and local cassava varieties to M. tanajoa and the environment in two different seasons (2014/2015, wet and dry) in the lake Zone. This was laid out in a Split plot design with varieties as sub plots and locations as main plots. Three field trials were conducted at three different locations, Ukiruguru (Latitude 020 43.156' S, Longitude 0330 01.431' E and elevation of 4000 m above sea level) N'gombe (Latitude 020 45.743' S, Longitude 0330 01.838' E and elevation 3888 m above sea level) and Kishiri (Latitude 020 48.694' S, Longitude 0330 22.161' E and elevation 4023 m above sea level) villages of Kwimba and Misungwi districts of Mwanza, respectively. These were replicated three times making a total of twenty seven plots. The treatments were allocated to a plot size of 36 m 2 with 1 m path (boarder) Original Research Article

The development of chemical pesticides after the World War II, dramatically increased the pest controlling practices to improve ag¬ricultural productions. But their indiscriminate use has led to se¬vere environmental degradation and serious health problems. The problem of hazardous consequences of the use of chemical pesti¬cides can be solved effectively by promoting the use of plant based pesticides. A large number of different plant species contain natu¬ral insecticidal material; some of these have been used by man as insecticide since very early times. Nicotine, the first naturally occur¬ring pesticidal constituent from tobacco leaves and two other natu¬ral insecticides namely rotenone from the roots of Derris elliptica and pyrethrum from the flower heads of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium are still widely used insecticides. During early six¬ties, Neem appeared as the most promising among plants having biocidal efficacy. There are around 800 plant species from all over the world which have been found to exhibit biocidal activity and some of the plant products have been recommended for the con¬trol of insect/pest/diseases of various agricultural, horticultural, fruit and other economical crops. The easy availability, faster biodegrad¬ability, nontoxicity to non-target species, ecofriendliness and broad spectrum activity of plant based pesticides provide an environment friendly approach for effective pest control.

Laboratory assays were done to evaluate the effect of neem seed kernel extract (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), Vitex negundo L. (Lamiales: Verbenaceae) leaf extract, and Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner), applied separately or together, on nutritional indices of the rice leaffolder Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guen´ee) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). All three biopesticides suppressed feeding and larval growth and low concentrations affected the larval performance. The combined effect of the three biopesticides resulted in a considerable
decrease in nutritional indices, indicating strong deterrence. Dose response relationships were established with respect to frass production and larval growth. The efciency of conversion of ingested and digested food was considerably reduced.

The study about material contained in Barringtonia seeds were conducted for the first time using the standard procedure of AOAC. For present work, two species of Barringtonia were selected viz., B. acutangula and B. racemosa, which are distributed along the west coast of Maharashtra. The proximate composition and mineral constituents of Barringtonia seeds were evaluated. The B. acutangula seeds contained ash 4.24%, crude protein 9.23%, crude lipids 0.68%, crude fibre 13.54% and carbohydrates 66.17%. While in seeds of B. racemosa, ash 4.02%, crude protein 12.09%, crude lipids 0.75%, crude fibre 15.18% and carbohydrates 64.67% were observed. Both the species have a high energy value on dry basis. Comparing the mineral content with recommended dietary allowances (RDA), the results indicated that seeds of B. Acutangula fruits couldbe a good supplement for some nutrients such as calcium, fibre and carbohydrates, whereas the B. Racemosa seeds could be a good supplement for some nutrients such as fibre, potassium, zinc and carbohydrates. The seeds of Barringtonia could be promoted as a carbohydrate supplement. Hence, this piece of work claims the potential of Barringtonia species indicating its proximate and mineral composition.

Plants with pesticidal properties have been investigated for decades as alternatives to synthetics, but most progress has been shown in the laboratory. Consequently, research on pesticidal plants is failing to address gaps in our knowledge that constrain their uptake. Some of these gaps are their evaluation of their efficacy under field conditions, their economic viability and impact on beneficial organisms. Extracts made from four abundant weed species found in northern Tanzania, Tithonia diversifolia, Tephrosia vogelii, Vernonia amygdalina and Lippia javanica offered effective control of key pest species on common bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) that was comparable to the pyrethroid synthetic, Karate. The plant pesticide treatments had significantly lower effects on natural enemies (lady beetles and spiders). Plant pesticide treatments were more cost effective to use than the synthetic pesticide where the marginal rate of return for the synthetic was no different from the untreat...

Dampak negatif penggunaan insektisida sintetik mendorong kembalinya penggunaan insektisida berbahan tumbuhan. Barringtonia asiatica merupakan tumbuhan yang dikenal potensial sebagai sumber insektisida nabati. Penelitian dilaksanakan untuk mengetahui toksisitas formula ekstrak biji B. asiatica terhadap Spodoptera litura. Penelitian terdiri atas uji pendahuluan dan uji lanjutan yang menghasikan konsentrasi uji sebesar 0,2; 0,4; 0,8; 1,6; dan 3,2%. Perlakuan formula ekstrak dilakukan dengan metode pencelupan daun pakan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa formula Ba 30SC bersifat toksik terhadap larva Spodoptera litura dengan LC 50 1,14% dan LC 95 4,85% pada analisis 10 hari setelah aplikasi. Selain mematikan serangga uji, formula Ba 30 SC juga memperpanjang perkembangan dan menurunkan konsumsi daun pakan serta bobot larva S. litura.

The field experiment was carried out in two successive seasons (2006/2007-2007/2008) in Gezira State. The experiments
aimed at studying the efficacy of some botanical oils including sesame, cotton, groundnut and sunflower oils on thrips, Thrips
tabaci (Lind.) population compared to the standard commercial insecticide Karate 5% EC (lambda–cyhalothrin)..The results
indicated that all botanical oil treatments were apparently very effective against the onion thrips compared to the untreated
control. Significant differences in the number of insects were encountered on onion plant in both seasons 2006/07, 2007/08.
Sesame oil was found to be more effective in controlling the pest followed by groundnut oil, cotton oil and sunflower oil,
respectively. The oil treatments decreased thrips population within 2-7days.The data revealed that the best performance of the
tested oils was obtained when the higher concentrations were administered in all treated plots. Karate treatment gave the best
control of onion thrips and this was reflected in the high percentage mortality.

In den letzten Jahren hat die Bedeutung von Fusarien und ihrer Giftstoffe beim Weizen stark zugenommen. Mit Medizinalpflanzen können Fusarien ökologisch bekämpft werden, wie diese Studie zeigt: Suspensionen aus Galla chinensis (Chinesische Galle) und Tanninsäure hemmten die Sporenkei- mung und das Myzelwachstum von Fusarium graminearum in vitro um 75 bis 100 %. In Klimakammerversuchen mit künstlich infiziertem «Apogee»-Weizen reduzierten Behandlungen mit Tanninsäure, G. chinensis und Rheum palmatum (Chinesischer Rhabar- ber) den Deoxynivalenol(DON)-Gehalt
der Körner um 67 bis 81 %. Die Rinde des Faulbaums (Frangula alnus) zeigte zwar weder in vitro noch in der Klimakammer einen Effekt, in Feldversuchen mit zwei Winterweizensorten reduzierte sie den DON-Gehalt aber um 60%. Die ebenfalls gute Wirkung der Tanninsäure und von G. chinensis kann mit der Pilztoxizität erklärt werden, diejenige von F. alnus führen wir auf Resistenzinduktion zurück. Wir konnten erstmals zeigen, dass mit Pflanzen-Stoffen eine echte Alternative zum Einsatz von synthetischen Fungiziden zur Bekämpfung von Fusarien bei Weizen besteht.
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English translation: During the past few years, the importance of Fusarium fungi and their toxins in wheat has increased significantly. This study demonstrated that fusaria can be controlled organically with medicinal plants: Suspensions of Galla chinensis and tannic acid inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of Fusarium graminearum in vitro by 75 to 100 %. In climate chamber experiments with artificially infected «Apogee» wheat, treatments with tannic acid, G. chinensis (Chinese galls) and Rheum palmatum (Chinese rhubarb) reduced the deoxynivalenol (DON) content in grains by 67 to 81 %. Although the bark of alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus) showed no effect either in vitro or in the climate chamber, it reduced the DON content of two winter-wheat varieties by 60 % under field conditions. The good efficacy of tannic acid and G. chinensis can be explained by fungal toxicity, whereas that of F. alnus can be explained by resistance induction. This is the first time, that plant compounds proved to be a true alternative to synthetic fungicides for controlling Fusarium fungi in wheat. ************************************************
Notes: Fulltext available in French and German, abstract available in English

Ces dernières années, l’importance des fusaries et de leurs toxines a fortement augmenté dans le blé. Les plantes médici- nales pourraient être un moyen de lutte écologique. Des suspensions de Galla chinensis (galle chinoise) et d’acide tannique ont inhibé la germination des spores et la croissance du mycélium de Fusarium graminearum in vitro de 75 à 100 %. En chambres climatisées avec du blé «Apogee» infecté de manière artificielle, des traite- ments à l’acide tannique, à base de G. chinensis et de Rheum palmatum (rhu- barbe chinoise) ont réduit la teneur des grains en déoxynivalénol (DON) de 67 à 81 %. Bien qu’elle n’ait donné aucun résultat ni in vitro ni en chambre climatique, l’écorce de bourdaine (Frangula alnus) a réduit la teneur en DON de 60 % lors d’essais sur le terrain avec deux variétés de blé d’automne. L’effet également élevé de l’acide tannique et de G. chinensis peut s’expliquer par la toxicité fongique. Nous expliquons l’effet de F. alnus par une induction de résis...

To evaluate the efficiency of different concentrations of Bojho (Acorous calamus) on maize and wheat weevil (Sitophilus spp.), a lab experiment was conducted from 13, February 2019 to 19, February 2019 at the entomology lab. The design setup was Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 5 treatments including control whereas each treatment was replicated 5 times. Grains were first adjusted to 14% moisture and placed in 50 jars with 15 cm height x 8 cm diameter. 250 grams of grains were placed in each jar with 25 jars containing wheat grains and another 25 containing maize grains. Grains were then treated with different concentrations of Bojho (5, 7.5, 10, 12.5g per kg of grains) and control to evaluate its efficiency against weevil. Powdered botanical extract Bojho was thoroughly mixed with grains in each jar. Mortality rate and weight loss were recorded at an interval of 24 hrs for 6 days. 12.5g Bojho/kg grains have shown the highest weevil mortality rate and lowest weight loss of grains in both maize and wheat.

We have compared the antiperonosporal activity of the ceveratrum alkaloids cevadine, veratridine, 3-O-oleoyl veracevine, and their parent alkamine veracevine, as well as the Solanum alkaloids -solanine and its aglycone, solanidine, against various biotrophic and abiotrophic developmental stages of the sunflower downy mildew pathogen, Plasmopara halstedii. The known Na+ ion channel activator ceveratrum alkaloids effectively inhibited the asexual spores and the systemic invasion of the parasitising thallus, while the known cell membrane disruptant Solanum alkaloids also affected the asexual spores and the biotrophic stages but to a lesser extent. The asexual spores responded rapidly to the alkaloids. Inhibition of the motion of zoospores was followed by changes in the semipermeability of plasmalemma leading to cell disruption. These amphiphilic steroid alkaloids are thought to act by direct incorporation into the microbial membrane disrupting its structural and functional integrity. Examination of the effect of veratridine on the alkali metal salt tolerance of P. halstedii showed that this steroid alkaloid dramatically impaired the tolerance of microbes to Li+, Na+, Cs+ and, especially, to K+.
Evaluation of a series of piperidine and related non-steroidal structural analogues, designed by molecular modeling, revealed that the anti-oomycete activity of these synthetic compounds is comparable to that of the natural ceveratrum alkaloids. Our results suggest that plasmalemma is a viable target site for plant disease control agents and extend the structural arsenal of compounds with novel mode of action.

Ujváry I. and Oros G. (2002): Ceveratrum Alkaloids as Fungal membrane Disruptants and Models for New Anti-Oomycota Agents. In: "Modern Fungicides and Antifungal Compounds III"  Eds. Dehne H.W. , Gisi U., Kuck H., Russel P.E. and Lyr H., AgroConcept Gmbh, Bonn, pp.307-316,

We can adjust nature or alter nature, but we cannot conquer nature. Conquering it means devastation.  We must learn and strive to co-exist with nature, as we are largely dependent on it for food, shelter, clothing and other necessities of life.  By understanding the nature we can obtain better results from our agriculture, dairy products and livestock.

In urban and peri-urban areas in West Africa, the cabbage Brassica oleracea L. (Brassicaceae) is protected using repeated high doses of synthetic insecticides. After a brief description of available IPM components, this paper presents a literature review focused on the botanical extracts that have been experimented with at the laboratory or in the field in West Africa against major cabbage pests. The literature reviewed mentions 19 plant species from 12 families used for cabbage protection in the subregion. The species most used are Azadirachta indica, Capsicum frutescens, Ocimum gratissimum and Ricinus communis. An overview of the world literature showed that a total of 13 plant species belonging to 8 families used to control cabbage pests are reported from the rest of Africa, and 140 plant species belonging to 43 families from the rest of the world. The most commonly used and tested plant species against insect pests in the three geographical areas considered is A. indica.

Present control technologies of plant pathogenic fungi decouple the pathogen’s life cycle mainly in two points of ontogeny, either by destroying spores prevent the infection or inhibit the biotrophic thallus, thus anticipating the formation of new infective propagules. Although, nowadays, the only tool for credible control of cultivated plants is the use of synthetic chemicals, the calculability of yield sureness has been worldwide threatened by the emergence of acquired tolerance to this group of pesticides as well as anxious feelings for their undesirable side effects. This situation urges the development of efficient alternative control agents, as threatening the net return even 10% disease incidence can cause economic loss. One approach to discover newer antimicrobial compounds is to search for their presence in natural sources exploiting the defense strategies of plants against their pathogens. Contrary to phytoalexins that are synthesized de novo after the plant is exposed to microbial attack, i.e., being produced in response of elicitors or stressors, the phytoanticipins are not formed in the tissue or released from preexisting plant constituents. These substances are plant antibiotics presented in tissue prior to infection, serving as the basis of pest tolerance. Several thousands of such molecules of different structure have been identified; however, few of them met practical application. In this chapter, we focus on constitutive mechanisms that might be used for controlling phytopathogenic fungi with special regard to organic substances, which might serve either as botanical fungicides or as lead compounds for molecular design. Consequently, the introduction of alien phytoanticipins and precursors of phytoalexins into the proper host/parasite system can represent a prospective tool for disease management. We summarized the results and experiences of past three decades searching for candidates for biofungicides useful in pest management practices. The efficacy of over 100 plant species used as either spices or preparations in traditional medicine or culinary was demonstrated in vitro against 25 phytopathogenic fungi, and possible use of promising candidates was discussed.