INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE & BIOLOGY

1560–8530/2007/09–1–64–67
http://www.fspublishers.org
Pest Repellent Plants for Management of Insect Pests of Chinese
Kale, Brassica oleracea L.
SUPAWAN KIANMATEE1 AND S.L. RANAMUKHAARACHCHI
Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
1
Corresponding author’s e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to assess the potential of pest repellent plant (PRP) species for managing insect pests in Chinese
kale (Brassica oleracea L.) in order to reduce the use of pesticides and to improve the quality of the product. Seven PRP
species (viz. Angelonia, tomato, hot pepper, coriander, citronella grass, sweet basil & sacred basil) were assessed together with
a control treatment (without PRP). The results showed that Chinese kale associated with sacred basil had the lowest number of
both flea beetle (Phyllotreta sinuata Steph.) and cabbage webworm [Hellula undalis (Fabricius)], while citronella grass had
the lowest number of common cutworm [Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)]. Furthermore, the lowest % pest damage and the
highest quality of yield were in plots associated with sacred basil. The study discloses the potential of integrating specific pest
repellent plants in intercropping to reduce populations of specific insect pests and % pest damage and to increase the quality
and marketable yield of Chinese kale.

Key Words: Chinese kale; Pest repellent plants; Flea beetle; Cabbage webworm; Common cutworm

INTRODUCTION 1999). Zehnder (2004) also reported that some plants

contain organic compounds that act as pest repellents. These
Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. alboglabra plants protect crops by keeping pests away from the
Bailey), is a popular and an economic crop in southeast cropping system and thus avoiding potential pest damages.
Asia. Therefore high yielding hybrid varieties of this crop Many plant species have been identified to contain
are often grown in intensive production systems. Chinese repellent effects on pests. Planting basil (Ocimum basilicum
kale is mostly vulnerable to insect pests such as Linn.) with tomatoes repels thrips (Anonymous, 2004a) and
diamondback moth [Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus)], beet tomato hornworms (Anonymous, 2004c). Coriander
armyworm (Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), common (Coriandrum sativum Linn.) repelled aphids, spider mites
cutworm [Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)], cabbage looper and potato beetles in potato (Anonymous, 2004a). Garlic
(Trichoplusia ni Hübner), cabbage webworm [Hellula (Allium sativum Linn.) repelled aphids in roses, while mint
undalis (Fabricius)], leaf eating beetle (Phyllotreta (Mentha cordifolia L.) deterred white cabbage moths, ants,
chontanica Duvivier & P. sinuata Steph.) (Kianmeesuk et rodents, flea beetles, fleas and aphids in many crops
al., 1999). Indiscriminate use of pesticides is very common (Anonymous, 2004a). Marigolds repelled Mexican bean
in this crop culture (Kumar & Moorthy, 2001), which leads beetles in beans (Anonymous, 2004c). Onion repelled
to destruction of beneficial insects and other non-target cabbage lepidopterous pests in cabbage (Anonymous,
organisms, accumulation of toxic residues on produce and 2004b). Palaniappan and Annadurai (1999) and Farlex
human poisoning, etc (Harris & Dent, 1999). Pesticide (2004) reported that pest repellent plants may be an
residues especially in vegetables may create health hazards alternative method in controlling pests in organic agriculture
to the consumers, which in turn restrict export markets of as it needs to avoid the use of synthetic pesticides, growth
vegetables (Awasthi, 2001). regulators, livestock feed additives, etc.
Planting insect pest repellent plants (PRP) as Chinese kale attracts many pests and hence pesticides
companion plants along with crops has been used as an are applied extensively. This demands the development of
alternative method in pest management (Anonymous, alternative pest management methods to protect crops,
2004a). A wide array of chemicals synthesized by plants has environment and food safety. Use of pest repellent plants
been shown to be effective on controlling many insect pests would be a long lasting option, if suitable pest repellent
(Kareem, 1999). The chemicals extracted from plants plants or a combination of pest repellent plants for specific
include approximately more than 6,000 alkaloids, 3,000 pests could be identified. This study was conducted to
terpenoids, several thousands of phenylterpenoids, 1,000 assess the potential of pest repellent plant species for
flavanoids, 500 quinones, 650 polyacetylenes and 4,000 managing insect pests in Chinese kale in order to reduce the
amino acids and many of these chemicals serve to protect use of pesticides and to improve the quality of the product.
plants from insect pests and disease pathogens (Kareem,
 PRPS FOR MANAGING INSECT PESTS OF KALE / Int. J. Agri. Biol., Vol. 9, No. 1, 2007

MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The study was conducted during May - August 2005 Number of pests. Six insect pest species were found in
at the Agricultural Experimental Station, Asian Institute of Chinese kale plots throughout the growing season:
Technology, Thailand. From a preliminary study conducted diamondback moth (DBM- Plutella xylostella), common
based on literature and from information gathered from cutworm (CCW-Spodoptera litura), flea beetle (FBT-
selected farming communities, seven pest repellent plant Phyllotreta sinuata), aphids (APH-Aphis gossypii Glover),
(PRP) species [viz. Angelonia (Angelonia goyazensis Benth cabbage looper (CBL- Trichoplusia ni) and cabbage
-T1), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill -T2), hot webworm (CWW- H. undalis). However, repellence effects
pepper (Capsicum frutescencs L.-T3), coriander were observed only for CWW, CCW and FBT (Table I).
(Coriandrum sativum L.-T4), citronella grass [Cymbopogon There were significant differences in the number of
nardus L. (Rendle) -T5], sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.- CWW larvae at 21 and 29 DAS (Table I). At 21 DAS, the
T6) and sacred basil (Ocimum sanctum L.-T7)] were mean number of CWW larvae was lowest in plots
selected to incorporate for Chinese kale culture as an associated with sacred basil (2.0 insects/m2) and citronella
intercrop. An additional plot containing Chinese kale alone grass (2.0 insects/m2) followed by sweet basil (2.3
(without any PRP species) was used as a control treatment. insects/m2) and Angelonia (2.4 insects/m2). Similarly, the
The experimental treatments were arranged in a randomized number of CWW was lowest in plots of sacred basil (0.6
complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replicates. insects/m2) followed by citronella grass (0.8 insects/m2) and
Selected PRPs were first grown in polythene bags in sweet basil (0.8 insects/m2) at 29 DAS.
May 2005 and reared in a nursery. Land was plowed and The number of FBT adults was also significantly
harrowed, and raised beds of 4 m x 4 m were prepared in different among treatments at 29 DAS (Table I). Sacred
early July. At the time of harrowing, chicken manure was basil associated plots had the lowest number of FBT (0.2
applied at the rate of 6.25 tons/ha and mixed with soils. The insects/m2) followed by Angelonia (0.3 insects/m2), sweet
PRPs were transplanted first in 2 m x 1 m spacing and basil (0.5 insects/m2), citronella grass (0.5 insects/m2) and
Chinese kale variety (BBT 35) was broadcasted in the rest tomato (0.6 insects/m2).
of the plot area at a seeding rate of 12.5 kg/ha and covered The number of CCW larvae was significantly reduced
with rice straw. Excess seedlings were thinned out at two by PRP species only at 36 DAS (Table I). The mean number
weeks after broadcasting. The crop was managed as per of insects ranged from 0.3 to 1.3 insects/m2 with the lowest
Thailand Department of Agricultural Extension number in plots associated with citronella grass and the
recommendation. Fertilizers were applied only at 2 weeks second lowest in sacred basil.
after broadcasting, and N, P and K were broadcasted at the Pest damage. At harvest, the % pest damage was
rate of 100, 43 and 83 kg/ha, respectively. Plots were significantly different among PRP species (Table II). Both
regularly irrigated twice a day using sprinklers. Pesticides sacred basil and citronella grass had the lowest pest
were not applied to any plot nor in the research farm as non- damage of 35 and 37% of the total number of Chinese
pesticide methods are usually practiced. kale plants in the plot, respectively. Angelonia and sweet
As observations, insect pest species and their basil also decreased pest damage to 47 and 53%,
populations were recorded from randomly selected two one- respectively. The other PRPs had pest damage more than
square meter areas across the PRPs at three sampling dates 60%, while the control had the highest pest damage. This
at 21, 29 and 36 days after seeding. Number of plants indicates that different plant species have difference in the
damaged in the selected one-square meter area was counted pest repellence and both sacred basil and citronella grass
and percentage damaged plants was computed based on the are better in this aspect than the other plants used.
total number of plants in the same sampling area. The Yield and quality. The Chinese kale yield ranged from 2.2
quality was assessed using 10 randomly selected Chinese kg/m2 (21.8 t/ha) in plots associated with coriander to 3.0
kale plants from each plot by estimating % leaf area kg/m2 (29.6 t/ha) in sacred basil (Table II). However, the
damaged by pest using 0 - 5 scale [0 - no apparent damage; yield of Chinese kale was not significantly different among
1 - minor feeding damage (1% leaf area eaten); 2 - minor- PRPs.
moderate feeding damage (2 - 5% leaf area eaten); 3 - The quality score showed that the control with a
moderate damage (6 - 10% leaf area eaten); 4 - moderate- quality score of 3.5 had moderate to moderate-heavy
heavy damage (11 - 30% leaf area eaten); and 5 - heavy damage by insect pests (Table II). On the other hand, sacred
damage (> 30% leaf area eaten)] (Greene et al., 1969). Data basil had the highest quality with a mean score of 1.9.
on insect pest populations and % pest damage were Except hot pepper and coriander, both had almost the same
transformed to log and arcsine values, respectively and degree of quality as the control, the rest of the PRPs had the
ANOVA was used. Fisher’s Protected Least Significant quality scores ranging between 2.3 and 2.6, which indicate
Difference (LSD = 0.05) was employed to compare the minor-moderate to moderate quality reduction.
effect among PRPs.

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 KIANMATEE AND RANAMUKHAARACHCHI / Int. J. Agri. Biol., Vol. 9, No. 1, 2007

Table I. The mean number of cabbage webworm, This indicates the importance of PRPs in the pest
common cutworm and flea beetle observed in Chinese repellence and protecting Chinese kale, which is a highly
kale plots intercropped with pest repellent plant pest attractive crop.
The results indicate that the integration of some PRP
Insect population, no./m2 species in intercropping with Chinese kale could reduce the
Pest Repellent Cabbage webworm larvae Flea beetle Common
Plant adults cutworm population of specific insect pests such as CWW, CCW and
1/
larvae FBT and % pest damage and as a result, the quality of the
21 DAS 29 DAS 29 DAS 36 DAS yield could be increased. Among tested PRP species, sacred
1. Control 2/ 3.1±0.5 1.7±0.4 0.9±0.4 1.0±0.6
(0.61±0.05)a 3/ (0.43±0.07) a (0.27±0.09) ab (0.30±0.13) a
basil gave the best performance in repelling FBT and
2. Angelonia 2.4±0.5 1.2±0.3 0.3±0.1 0.8±0.3 CWW, while citronella grass was the best in repelling
(0.52±0.07) bc (0.33±0.06) abc (0.10±0.04) bc (0.25±0.08) ab CCW. In addition, sacred basil had the lowest % pest
3. Tomato 3.0±0.9 1.2±0.5 0.6±0.1 0.8±0.6 damage and the highest quality of the Chinese kale yield in
(0.60±0.10) ab (0.34±0.10) abc (0.21±0.02) bc (0.24±0.14) ab
4. Hot pepper 3.5±0.5 1.3±0.4 2.0±1.5 1.3±1.0
this study. Citronella grass also had a significant potential to
(0.65±0.05) a (0.36±0.08) ab (0.43±0.27) a (0.34±0.18) a reduce pest damage and to increase quality of Chinese kale.
5. Coriander 3.3±0.3 1.5±0.6 1.0±0.6 1.1±0.3 Both of these PRPs contain organic compounds having pest
(0.63±0.03) a (0.39±0.10) a (0.28±0.13) ab (0.32±0.06) a repellent effects (Kareem, 1999; Zehnder, 2004). Moreover,
6. Citronella 2.0±0.3 0.8±0.2 0.5±0.2 0.3±0.4
grass (0.47±0.05) c (0.25±0.06) bc (0.18±0.04) bc (0.09±0.12) c
these PRPs are cash crops to farmers in Thailand and hence
7. Sweet basil 2.3±0.2 0.8±0.6 0.5±0.4 0.8±0.2 the adoption of this type of pest management system would
(0.51±0.03) bc (0.24±0.13) bc (0.17±0.11) bc (0.24±0.06) ab be highly preferable.
8. Sacred basil 2.0±0.3 0.6±0.2 0.2±0.1 0.5±0.1 However, the results clearly showed that the use of
(0.47±0.04) c (0.21±0.04) c (0.06±0.03) c (0.16±0.04) bc
LSD (p = 0.05) 0.091 0.140 0.206 0.134 pest repellent plants alone could not control all insect pest
CV% 9.3 25.0 55.5 31.4 species that attack Chinese kale. Planting PRPs as
1/
DAS = Days after seeding companion plants along with crops has also been used as an
2/
No pest repellent plant used in the control plot, and only Chinese kale alternative method in pest management (Anonymous,
was grown
3/
Values in parenthesis are log-transformed values; Values within a
2004a). Palaniappan and Annadurai (1999) and Farlex
column followed by different letters are significantly different at p = 0.05 (2004) reported that pest repellent plants might be an
alternative method in controlling pests in order to avoid the
Table II. Pest damage (%) at harvest (43 days after use of synthetic pesticides, growth regulators, livestock feed
seeding), yield and quality score of Chinese kale in each additives, etc. Harris and Dent (1999) indicated that bio-
pest repellent plant pesticides are effective in controlling pests that have
developed resistance to chemical pesticides and leaving
Pest Repellent Plant Mean pest Yield Mean quality little or no toxic residues thus are commonly harmless to
damage (%) (kg/m2) score 4/
1. Control 1/ 3.5
beneficial insects and other non-target organisms. Bio-
91.7±2.9 2.7±0.1
(1.2±0.1) a 2/ (27.3±1.3) 3/ pesticides such as neem products have been reported to
2. Angelonia 46.7±11.6 2.5±0.3 2.6 reduce the infestation of various insect pests in tea
(0.5±0.1) cd (25.6±3.4) (Selvasundaram & Muraleedharan, 1999), okra (Anaso &
3. Tomato 63.3±5.8 2.5±0.7 2.6 Lale, 2001a & b) and cowpea (Lale & Kabeh, 2004). FAO
(0.7±0.1) c (25.1±7.3) (1999) also recommended that the pest control using
4. Hot pepper 83.3±5.8 2.6±0.6 3.4
(1.0±0.1) ab (25.6±6.5)
chemicals or bio-pesticides with less harmful residues is
5. Coriander 80.0±10.0 2.2±0.2 3.4 needed especially for Chinese kale production. As other bio-
(0.9±0.2) b (21.8±2.3) pesticides, such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), EM (effective
6. Citronella grass 36.7±5.8 2.9±0.4 2.3 microorganisms), etc. and mechanical measures are
(0.4±0.1) d (29.1±3.8) available, further studies are needed to advocate a complete
7. Sweet basil 53.3±15.3 2.8±0.9 2.5
array of management needs for pest management in Chinese
(0.6±0.2) cd (28.0±10.4)
8. Sacred basil 35.0±8.7 3.0±0.4 1.9 kale and to avoid the pesticide contamination in the harvest
(0.4±0.1) d (29.6±4.2) and preventing the pollution of the environment.
LSD (p = 0.05) 0.216 ns 5/ -
CV% 17.7 21.3 - CONCLUSION
1/
No pest repellent plant used, and only Chinese kale was grown
2/
Values in parenthesis are Arc Sine-transformed values; Values within a
column followed by different letters are significantly different at p = 0.05 There was a significant difference in the mean number of
3/
Values in parenthesis are tons/ha CWW, CCW and FBT among PRP associated plots.
4/
Quality score: 0 - no apparent damage; 1 - minor feeding damage (1% Sacred basil was the best in repelling FBT and CWW,
leaf area eaten); 2 - minor- moderate feeding damage (2-5% leaf area whereas citronella grass was the best repellence of CCW.
eaten); 3 - moderate damage (6-10% leaf area eaten); 4 - moderate-heavy
damage (11-30% leaf area eaten); and 5 - heavy damage (>30% leaf area Moreover, sacred basil significantly reduced % pest
eaten) damage and increased quality of the Chinese kale yield.
5/
ns – Not significant different at p = 0.05

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