African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6894

Full Length Research Paper

Study on the trapping effects of Brassica allelochemicals on Plutella xylostella adults

Nooney Chidwala
  • Nooney Chidwala
  • Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P.R. China.
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Gabriel Chilumpha
  • Gabriel Chilumpha
  • Africa Centre of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, 138, Ethiopia.
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Arnold Makhwira
  • Arnold Makhwira
  • Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS), Kasinthula Agricultural Research Station, Chikwawa, 28, Malawi.
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Balaka Namandwa
  • Balaka Namandwa
  • Department of Basic Sciences, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College Campus, Lilongwe, 219, Malawi.
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Qihuan Zhou
  • Qihuan Zhou
  • Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P.R. China.
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Wuhan Li
  • Wuhan Li
  • Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P.R. China.
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Ting Yu
  • Ting Yu
  • Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P.R. China.
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Raghda Nasser
  • Raghda Nasser
  • Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P.R. China.
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Jianchu Mo
  • Jianchu Mo
  • Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P.R. China.
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  •  Received: 01 February 2024
  •  Accepted: 29 March 2024
  •  Published: 30 April 2024

Abstract

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a major pest of Brassica crops worldwide. This study explores the application of Brassica spp. allelochemicals in trapping diamondback moth adults. The effectiveness of eight commercially obtained Brassica spp. volatiles has been investigated, including - (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, cis-3-hexene-1-ol, β-pinene, sabinene, n-heptanal, allyl isothiocyanate, and Brassica non-volatiles - sinigrin and 4-methylsulfinylbutyl glucosinolate. These allelochemicals were tested at varying concentrations (10 to 90 μg/μL) in laboratory and open-screen cage environment trapping experiments. Cis-3-hexene-1-ol, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, sabinene, and β-pinene significantly attracted and trapped more female moths than controls; attraction decreased at higher concentrations. A 1:1 blend of cis-3-hexene-1-ol and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate displayed optimal attraction in lab and open environment trials for the tested blends. Among the colors tested, green-colored containers proved to be the most effective for trapping. While the plant allelochemicals attracted diamondback moths, signs of non-target cabbage loopers were observed on treated plants. Y-tube olfactometer assays revealed that (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate and cis-3-hexene-1-ol were attractive to both male and female moths. These findings demonstrate the potential of Brassica spp. allelochemicals, particularly cis-3-hexene-1-ol and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, for trapping diamondback moths.

Key words: Lepidoptera, Integrated pest management, Plant-insect interactions, Host plant cues, Insect behaviour.