Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Natural Resources

First Advisor

Jackai, Louis E. N. Dr.

Abstract

The pest status of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, has risen as it has become resistant to most insecticides used for its control. Insecticide mixtures could be exploited to slow down resistance development in the diamondback moth. We evaluated various mixtures comprising: Agroneem Plus® , spinosad, thiamethoxam and jalapeño pepper extract using laboratory bioassays with a view to obtaining a combination that could be adopted by small growers. These mixtures were applied to collard greens using the leaf dip method and fed to second to fourth instar larvae in bioassays. The mixtures were evaluated for their effect on larval fitness and leaf damage. Our results indicate a possible interaction between the methanolic extract of jalapeño pepper and spinosad. Agroneem Plus® and thiamethoxam also exhibited interactions. Spinosad at the recommended rate killed 100% of the exposed larvae. These mixtures are to be further evaluated to determine their ability to delay resistance in diamondback moth populations and eventually test them under field conditions.

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