The impact of the onion-garlic extracts to control date palm aphids in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study explores the use of the onion-garlic combination as a natural substitute to chemical insecticides to control aphids ( Cerataphis orchidearum ) in their attacks on date palms. Five doses of the onion-garlic combination were prepared and evaluated: 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 µg/ml throughout 24 h to the exposed aphid specimens. The bioinsecticidal impact was measured by focusing on biological variables and the genetic analysis of aphids. Three doses of a combination − 30, 40 and 50 µg/ml – have shown the most extensive toxicity effects on the aphids. The genetic analysis revealed that missing genetic sequences have essentially elevated with increasing doses of the onion-garlic combination. The average genetic proximity in the exposed insects significantly decreased upon increased quantities of the combination during 24-hours interval compared to untreated aphids. Aphids’ biological activity in relation to date palm trees was successfully limited by applying the onion-garlic combination of extracts in three date farms of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The mixture also made date palm trees healthier, hence, fundamentally improving quality and growing patterns of dates.