Eco-warriors from nature: Harnessing botanical extracts in integrated pest management IPM to outsmart mustard and coriander aphids in sustainable farming

The bioefficacy of botanical extract formulations from eight botanicals was thoroughly evaluated against two major aphid pests, the mustard aphid ( Lipaphis erysimi ) and the coriander aphid ( Hyadaphis coriandri ) (Homoptera: Aphididae), both of which pose significant threats to rapeseed-mustard and coriander crops, respectively. To determine an effective control measure, botanical extract decoctions were prepared using the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus , Azadirachta indica, Achyranthes aspera, Platycladus orientalis, Cannabis sativa, Calendula officinalis, Ocimum tenuiflorum, and Aegle marmelos . These formulations were tested for their insecticidal efficacy. The results clearly indicated that A. indica botanical extract decoction demonstrated the highest toxicity, while A. marmelos was the least effective. Against L. erysimi , the lowest LC50 value was recorded with A. indica (2.53), followed by E. globulus (2.74), C. sativa (3.49), C. officinalis (4.02), O. tenuiflorum (4.12), A. aspera (4.26), P. orientalis (4.59), and A. marmelos (17.26). For H. coriandri , A. indica again showed the lowest LC50 (3.46), followed by C. sativa (3.89), E. globulus (5.18), P. orientalis (5.98), A. aspera (6.78), C. officinalis (7.41), O. tenuiflorum (8.43), and A. marmelos (27.87). After 48 hours of treatment, all botanical extract formulations were found to be more toxic to L. erysimi than to H. coriandri , indicating species-specific variations in their susceptibility to these natural formulations. This study underscores the potential of using botanical extract decoctions of botanicals as an eco-friendly, sustainable alternative for the integrated pest management of mustard and coriander crops, thereby reducing reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides.