INSECTICIDAL AND ANTIFEEDANT ACTIVITY OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS FROM ALLIUM ROTUNDUM L.

Abstract

The species of the genus Allium L., one of the largest genera of higher plants,
occupying a significant place in the modern plant world, are of great interest both
from the theoretical and from the practical point of view. Plants of Allium spp.
accumulate a large amount of carbohydrates, phenolic compounds (flavonoids and
its glycosides, coumarins, anthocyanins, catechins), amino acids and organosulfur
compounds, such as allicin – a precursor for alkaloids and saponins formation.
Secondary metabolites of Allium spp. have been successfully used during the past
few decades in plants protection against pests and pathogens. We have earlier
reported about high insecticidal and antifeedant properties of extracts from A.
subhirsutum L., A. narcissiflorum Vill. and A. ramosum L. The highest insecticidal
properties against imago (20.0%) and larvae (60.0%) of Leptinotarsa decemlineata
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidaea) were demonstrated by extract from aerial part of A.
subhirsutum. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the insecticidal,
antifeedant and repellent properties of A. rotundum L. extracts against various
species of insects. As a result, it was found that the ethanolic extracts from the
aerial part possessed the moderate level (40.0%) of insecticidal properties against
the larvae of the L. decemlineata and low – against the imago (6.7-13.3%).
Moreover, the extracts of A. rotundum showed moderate level of insecticidal,
antifeedant and repellent activity against the larvae of lepidopterans (cotton
budworm Helicoverpa armigera and wax moths Galleria mellonella).