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Kaolin effectively controls whitefly in beans

Foliar applications of kaolin recommended as alternative to chemical insecticides

Date:
January 5, 2016
Source:
American Society for Horticultural Science
Summary:
Scientists determined the influence of kaolin on development of populations of whitefly in greenhouses, and its effect on the physiological characteristics of bean crops. Results showed a high percentage of efficacy on whitefly control in plants treated with 5 percent kaolin. Foliar applications of kaolin decreased transpiration and enhanced the contents of leaf chlorophyll without affecting yield. The findings show that use of kaolin particle film can be an alternative tool for managing bean crops.
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FULL STORY

In Colombia, bean crops contribute significantly to the region's agriculture. Because these important crops are vulnerable to pests and diseases, growers often need to rely on chemicals to protect valuable crops. New research on the use of kaolin (aluminosilicate clay) contains information that can help bean producers limit the use of conventional pesticides and develop new strategies for integrated pest management.

The authors of the study in HortScience said previous experiments in temperate regions have shown that kaolin foliar sprays have insecticidal attributes. "However, this type of research in tropical areas, specifically in Andean regions, is virtually nonexistent," they noted. The researchers from Universidad Nacional de Colombia studied the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), one of the most prevalent pests in the region's bean crops. The study design consisted of three experiments using four treatments: no insecticide (control), synthetic chemical insecticides, foliar applications of kaolin at 2.5%, and foliar applications of kaolin at 5% (weight/volume).

Foliar applications of kaolin at both doses controlled ≈80% of the population of whitefly in different stages (eggs, nymphs, and adults) in all three experiments. Analyses showed that the percentage of efficacy of the two doses of kaolin was similar to that obtained in bean plants treated with synthetic chemical insecticides (90%).

The study also showed kaolin doses at 5% produced positive effects on the bean plant physiology, causing a 40% reduction in transpiration and an increase of 43% in leaf chlorophyll content compared with untreated plants.

"We can suggest that the use of kaolin can be considered as an alternative to control whitefly, T. vaporariorum, without any negative effect on seed yield," the authors said. They added that kaolin may also help the plant physiology, especially under conditions of abiotic stress such as drought.


Story Source:

Materials provided by American Society for Horticultural Science. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Diana Carolina Núñez-López, Augusto Ramírez-Godoy and Hermann Restrepo-Díaz. Impact of Kaolin Particle Film and Synthetic Insecticide Applications on Whitefly Populations Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and Physiological Attributes in Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Crop. HortScience, October 2015

Cite This Page:

American Society for Horticultural Science. "Kaolin effectively controls whitefly in beans." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 5 January 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160105132736.htm>.
American Society for Horticultural Science. (2016, January 5). Kaolin effectively controls whitefly in beans. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160105132736.htm
American Society for Horticultural Science. "Kaolin effectively controls whitefly in beans." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160105132736.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

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