Potency of Three Essential Oils against Aphis craccivora Koch (Homoptera: Aphididae) in Bean Plant

Aparna Pandey, Barish E. James

Abstract: Essential oils derived from aromatic plants are interesting and favourable substitute for pest management. The present study investigated the efficiency of essential oils derived from, three plant species i.e., neem oil (Azadirachta indica), lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon citratus), citronella oil (Cymbopogon winterianus) at the concentration of 1% and 2% are tested by spraying on phloem sucking aphid (Aphis craccivora) to see repellant action of oils under laboratory condition. Essential oil is derived from aromatic plants has observed as risk free substitute. The result showed that all three oils significantly reduced the population of A. craccivora. The lemongrass oil was found most effective oil showing significant reduction at 2% concentration in 48 hrs which is (96.00%) while neem oil and citronella oil treatments also showed significant reductions of (70.00%) and (40.00%) respectively accompanied by a control. From the result it was observed that the order of toxicity of three oils were Lemongrass >Neem >Citronella.

Keywords: Biopesticides, Essential oils, lemongrass, Mortality, Aphids