Control of Cabbage Aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) Using Kaolin and Neem Oil
Effect of alternative products in the control of cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), was studied in two greenhouse experiments. Neem oil, rock dusts Rocksil and protesyl (kaolin), citrus oil, pyroligneous extract (alone or mixed with pepper+citronella) and the neem oil+pyroligneous were sprayed on kale plants. Four and three sprayings were done in first and in second experiments, respectively. Evaluations were done previous and after spraying by counting and recording number of insects per leaf. It was found that plants treated with neem oil 1% and protesyl 5% showed less cabbage aphid population than control nevertheless reduction occurred just after the third spraying. Citrus oil did not reduce aphid population and caused toxicity to plants. In the second assay, in general, neem treated plants showed lesser infestation than control. In the first assessment, higher aphid infestation was found in the plants treated with neem oil (0.5%) than neem oil (0.5%)+pyroligneous (1%). Inconsistent results were found when pyroligneous and the home formulation of pyroligneous with citronella and pepper were used alone. The results showed that neem oil and kaolin are suitable alternatives reduce cabbage aphid in kale plants.