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Title: Effect of garlic extraction on injury by cowpea, Curculio Chalcodermes aenus Boheman (Coleoptera: Cucurlionidae), and other pests, to cowpea, Vigna unguiculata L. Walp

Author
item Showler, Allan
item ANCISO, JUAN - Texas A&M Agrilife
item CASTRO, BORIS - Dow Agrosciences

Submitted to: Biopesticides International
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/3/2011
Publication Date: 3/3/2011
Citation: Showler, A., Anciso, J.R., Castro, B. 2011. Effect of garlic extraction on injury by cowpea, Curculio Chalcodermes aenus Boheman (Coleoptera: Cucurlionidae), and other pests, to cowpea, Vigna unguiculata L. Walp. Biopesticides International. 6(2):112-120.

Interpretive Summary: Garlic extract and oil have been used as insecticides against various insects on numerous crops, but there are contradictions in the findings on insecticidal or repellent properties. Garlic extract at the manufacturer’s recommended rate against pests of cowpea in field plots was assessed. Garlic extract suppressed injury to the harvested peas from the cowpea curculio, but it did not control other pests and did not increase yield.

Technical Abstract: Garlic-based oils and extract formulations have been used as insecticides against various insects on numerous crops, but there are contradictions among findings on the insecticidal or repellent properties of garlic-based products. In a field plot test, the effects of garlic extract on control of the cowpea curculio, Chalcodermus aenus Boheman, were compared with the effects of bifenthrin, a commonly-used pyrethroid insecticide for cowpea curculio control in cowpeas, Vigna unguiculata L. Walp. We determined that although plant phenology, numbers of peas harvested, and kg peas per ha were not influenced by the treatments, both reduced percentage cowpea curculio-damaged peas to a similar extent compared with the untreated control. While yield parameters in terms of numbers of peas and their collective mass are important, the quality of harvested peas is also important can be preserved using garlic extract in field conditions.