EFFECT OF EXTRACTS OF CARAWAY FRUITS IN SOME BIOTIC ASPECTS OF POTATO TUBER MOTH

Abstract

A lab experiment was conducted at the Biological Control Research Unit, Dept. of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad during 2010/2011 to investigate the effect of water and alcoholic extracts of caraway fruits and its volatile oil in some biotic aspects of potato tuber moth, Phthorimea operculella Zell. The experimental factors were arranged in factorial experiments system using CRD with three replicates. First factor included the extracts which are alcoholic and water extracts, steam distillation of volatile oil and controls (water and alcohol). Second factor involved application concentrations of these extracts that were 500, 1000 and 2000 mg. l-1. Results showed that the volatile oil was superior to limit the average of laid eggs (11.89 eggs), hatchability% (10.22%), emergence of adults % (6.22%) and extend the egg development period (8.11 day). Results also revealed that the concentration of 2000 mg.l-1was better than others for limiting of egg number (49.13 egg), hatchability% (67.13%) and emergence adult% (51.67%). Furthermore, GC/FID and GC/MS analysis stated that the dominant components in water, alcoholic extracts and volatile oil of caraway fruits were carvone and limonene. Consequently, it could be concluded that caraway fruits extracts were active to limit the biota of potato tuber moth because of its contents from active compounds, especially carvone and limonene. Moreover, the extracted essential oil from caraway by steam distillation was inhibitory than water and alcoholic extraction. Therefore, it could be recommended to isolate carvone and limonene components and test their activity as insecticide against insect pests then determine the active concentration for each active constituent. Furthermore, it could be recommended to manufacture artificial blends from these active constituents then assess their inhibitory activity on acetylcholine esterase enzyme.