Turmeric powder and its derivatives from Curcuma longa rhizomes: Insecticidal effects on cabbage looper and the role of synergists.
Curcuma longa has well-known insecticidal and repellent effects on insect pests, but its impact on Trichoplusia ni is unknown. In this study, the compound ar-turmerone, extracted and purified from C. longa rhizomes, was identified, and its insecticidal effects, along with turmeric powder, curcuminoid pigments and crude essential oil were evaluated against this important agricultural pest. The role of natural (sesamol and piperonal) and synthetic [piperonyl butoxide (PBO)] synergists under laboratory and greenhouse conditions were also evaluated. The concentration of ar-turmerone in C. longa rhizomes harvested was 0.32% (dwt). Turmeric powder and its derivatives caused 10-20% mortality in third instar T. ni at a very low dose (10 μg/larva). Addition of PBO increased toxicity of turmeric powder and its derivatives (90-97% mortality) in most binary combinations (5 μg of turmeric powder or its derivatives +5 μg of PBO), but neither piperonal nor sesamol were active as synergists. The compound ar-turmerone alone and the combination with PBO reduced larval weight on treated Brassica oleracea in the laboratory and in greenhouse experiments, compared with the negative control. The compound ar-turmerone could be used as a low cost botanical insecticide for integrated management of cabbage looper in vegetable production.
Departamento de Fitotecnia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.|Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4 Canada.
Wagner
W
de Souza Tavares
Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4 Canada.
Yasmin
Y
Akhtar
Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4 Canada.|Departamento de Entomologia e Acarologia, Universidade de São Paulo, 13418-900, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
Gabriel Luiz Padoan
GL
Gonçalves
Departamento de Entomologia/BIOAGRO, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
José Cola
JC
Zanuncio
Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4 Canada.
Murray B
MB
Isman
D000818:Animals; D001937:Brassica / Q000469:parasitology*; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry; D007306:Insecticides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D009036:Moths / Q000254:growth & development*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D027343:Rhizome / Q000737:chemistry*
D007306:Insecticides; D010936:Plant Extracts; C012596:turmeric extract