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With
an objective to test the efficacy of nettle extracts to aphid (Brevicorinae
brassicae), an experiment was conducted at the Entomology laboratory of
the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences (IAAS), Rampur in the
winter of 2002/2003. A total of sixteen treatments including control (no
nettle extract) and a positive check (pesticide) were evaluated for their
deterrent properties to the leaf-sucking insect. Extract from the nettle
plant was taken from different parts such as leaf, stems, root with the
use of organic solvents: ethyl acetate and hexane at 6000 and 3000 ppm
concentration. Uniformly sized (1 mm3) leaf disc of broad leaf mustard
(Brassica sp.) were treated with various extracts and starved nymphs of
similar instar were allowed to take the treated leaf disc into 9 mm petriplates.
The experiment indicated that some of the extracts derived from fresh
leaves with ethyl acetate and hexane were able to inhibit the feeding
behaviour of aphid. The extracts also affected the development of insect
into subsequent stages indicating the possibility of exploiting nettle
extracts against pest management. |
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