Efficacy of Melia azedarach Extract Combined with Low-Dose Acetamiprid Against Cabbage Aphid in Urban Landscapes

Subject Areas : Journal of Ornamental Plants

Ahmad Abdollahzadeh Zarandi ¹ , Kamal Ahmadi ²

1 - Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
2 - Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran

Received: 2025-04-24 Accepted : 2025-06-10 Published : 2025-07-16

Keywords: Aphid management, Biopesticides, Insecticide synergy, Integrated pest management, Urban pest control,

Abstract :

Brevicoryne brassicae L., a major pest of brassica crops, is typically controlled with chemical pesticides; however, excessive use leads to resistance development, environmental contamination, and health hazards. Combining synthetic pesticides with botanical extracts offers a promising strategy to reduce pesticide doses while maintaining efficacy. This study evaluates the combined effect of acetamiprid and an ethanolic-water extract of Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) on cabbage aphids and their nymph production. Results showed that the treatment with acetamiprid (100 ppm) and M. azedarach ethanolic-water extract (2000 ppm) had the lowest population averages at all-time points: 2.75±0.64 aphids on day 7, 10.60 ± 2.78 on day 14, and 29.5 ± 8.15 on day 21. The total nymph production over ten days was highest in the control treatment (33.67 ± 1.27), while the lowest average was observed in the acetamiprid (10 ppm) and M. azedarach (2000 ppm) treatment (26.98 ± 1.6). Furthermore, the total mortality percentages over ten days showed that the combination of acetamiprid (10 ppm) and M. azedarach (2000 ppm) caused the highest cumulative mortality (60.0 ± 4.21%), while the control group exhibited the lowest mortality (30.0 ± 4.47%). These findings indicate that combining pesticides with plant extracts may reduce the required pesticide dosage while maintaining effective pest control, although further research is needed to confirm these findings.

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