Botanical products in Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) management in Pisum sativum L.

Abstract

Botanical products have an important role in the development of sustainable and ecologically friendly agriculture. Therefore, this study is focused on assessing the insecticidal activity of botanical products (Pyrethro Natura and Rapax) applied individually and in combination with an organic fertilizer (Fitasio) against Acyrthosiphon pisum. Further the change in the plastid pigments concentrations, productivity as well as product selectivity on Coccinella septempunctata larvae was explored. The experiment was conducted at the fields of the Institute of Forage crops, Pleven, Bulgaria from 2019 to 2021 year in spring forage peas. An alternate method of assessing the insecticide efficacy was used based on insect days and cumulative insect days. It was found that the mixture of Pyrethro Natura and Phytasio was associated with the highest overall efficacy against A. pisum and a reduction of cumulative insect days by 64.4% through a span of 9 days with an additive interaction between compounds. The botanical products used had a beneficial effect on the vegetative development of the plants. The Pyrethro Natura in combination with Fitasio provided the highest productivity of 30.7%, content of plastid pigments, and the best plant physiological condition. Botanicals were harmless with toxicity not exceeding 25% against ladybug larvae and displayed an important perspective due to their multiple benefits.