Abstract
The objective of this work was to evaluate the insecticidal effect or repellency of Cyperus rotundus, an important weed plant, through alternative methods of extraction, on Diabrotica speciosa, a pest that affects several plant species. The experimental design was completely casual, and consisted of five repetitions. The C. rotundus extracts were prepared using leaves and roots by alcoholic extraction, aqueous (hot water) extraction and aqueous (cold water) extraction and diluted to four different concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 15% of the volume of each extract). These dilutions were then tested and compared with a control. The higher mortality of D. speciosa adults as well as a smaller leaf consumption area were observed after treatments with increasing dosages of different C. rotundus extracts generated by alcoholic extraction (55% of mortality and 28% leaf consumption). Therefore, the alcoholic extract of the C. rotundus foliage is an option for the control of D. speciosa in agroecologic systems.
Highlights
Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae) is an herbaceous perennial plant
The objective of this study was to determine the insecticidal effect of roots and leaves of C. rotundus on D. speciosa through alternative methods of extraction
Three extraction methods were tested for each part of the plant: 1) For the alcoholic extraction, we used 25% of the fresh weight of leaves or roots (25 g), both picked separately, in commercial 100% hydrated ethyl alcohol (100 mL)
Summary
Its stem is herbaceous and rhizome ramified (ARANTES et al, 2005). It is considered one of the most persistent species in the world (ARRUDA et al, 2005) and is the main weed species in cultivated soils in tropical areas (JAKELAITIS et al, 2003a and b). According to Costa (2000), C. rotundus is rich in alkaloids, anthraquinone, coumarins, steroids, triterpenes, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and resins. It has possible insecticidal properties and could be a repellent against arthropods. Control of polyphagous pests is difficult because of their easy adaptation to different cultures. Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) affects diverse cultures in Brazil (GALLO et al, 2002) and
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