Himalayan Plant Species as Pesticidal Agents

Devendra      Singh Negi; Ashok      Kumar; Nisha      Negi; Mahendra      Lal Tamta

Abstract

The control of diseases and insect, pests for securing world is important issue for us. A significant way to find a better treatment for crop is the search for insecticidal, pesticidal and antimicrobial constituents. From many years research in biology and biochemistry has made it possible a complete new approach for the protection of plants. As part of our Botanical pesticide research project, numerous compounds from Himalayan plant species of Uttarakhand, India with potential antifeedant activity have been identified. The plants selected for complete investigations were Boenninghausenia albiflora, Skimmia anquetillia, Glycosmis arborea, Vitex negundo, Premna barbata, Callicarpa arborea and Clerodendron indicum and the pests selected were the Plecoptera reflexa, the popular defoliator Clostera cupreta, bamboo leaf roller Crypsiptya coclesalis and polyphagous pest Spodoptera litura. The extracts and pure compounds were also tested against plant pathogens, Agrobacterium tumifaciens, Pseudomonas syringae and Pactobacterium carotovorum for antibacterial activity. In all tested plants B. albiflora and S. anquetillia showed potent insecticidal and antibacterial properties. In addition all investigated plants of Rutaceae and Verbenaceae family were found to be active against S. litura pest.

Keywords: Botanical pesticides, Boenninghausenia albiflora, Callicarpa arborea, Clerodendron indicum, Glycosmis arborea, Premna barbata, Skimmia anquetillia, Vitex negundo, Mentha Piperita, Cydia Pomonella, Canavanine, Tridecanone