Control of whiteflies and aphids in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) by fermented plant extracts of neem leaf and wild garlic

Abstract

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci, Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) and aphid (Homoptera) on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are economically important insect pests that are difficult to manage due to their resistance to a wide range of chemical pesticides. Field experiments were conducted to assess the effects of fermented plant extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) leaf and wild garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) on whitefly and aphid population. The population of both insect pests showed two different patterns with higher counts observed during summer than winter monitoring. During both seasons, numbers of whiteflies and aphids increased regardless of the treatment, but the numbers remained significantly lower within treated than untreated plots. The mixture of neem and wild garlic was more effective in reducing population densities of whitefly and aphid than either plant extract applied alone. In conclusion, results of this study suggested a synergistic effect of fermented plant extracts of neem and wild garlic as a bio-pesticide.

Key words: Aphid, bio-pesticide, fermented plant extract (FPE), Solanum lycopersicum, whitefly.