Controlling Planococcus citri in Rambutan (lat) culture with aqueous extracts

Abstract

It was found that plant extracts work in the control of Planococcus citri (mealy bug) in rambutan crops, specifically those corresponding to Petiveria alliacea and Momordiga charantia, which managed to reduce the density of the mealybug population to a maximum of 1 individual per leaf, per panicle and for every 1000 fruits observed. The application of these aqueous plant extracts at the juvenile stage of the fruit managed to keep the mealybug population under control in rambutan crops, which translates into a great reduction in damage and a greater quantity of fruits available for marketing. In addition, plant extracts increased the number of phenolic compounds in the panicles from 0.003 to 0.006 mg EAG, per gram of panicle, which benefits the trees, as they are defensed as metabolites against pests and diseases. It is mentioned that plant extracts could offer an alternative to replace synthetic insecticides.