The effect of leaf treatment (Solanum tuberosum L. cv Zhukovsky) with an early leaf extract (Amaranthus tricolor L. cv Early splendor) on the photosynthetic indicators of potato plants and the feeding of the colorado beetle larvae

Abstract

Processing potatoes with water extract from the amaranth of Early splendor variety leads to an increase in the parameter (FM – FT)/FT of slow induction of leaf fluorescence up to 51%. At the same time, the effectiveness of restricting the nutrition of larvae of the Colorado potato beetle on the treated plants reaches a maximum of 64%. Laboratory experiments show a decrease in larval survival on treated plants. Due to its dual properties as a biostimulant and insecticide, as well as low toxicity to vertebrates, amaranth extracts can be recommended for integrated pest management programs.