Pre-Bloom Application of Petroleum Spray Oil for the Control of Green Apple Aphid, Aphis pomi DeGeer in Apple Orchards [Data]
Description
The green apple aphid (Aphis pomi DeGeer) is a key early-season pest in apple orchards. Petroleum spray oils (PSOs), are routinely applied at the delayed dormant stage for managing pests like San José scale and European red mite. However, their impact on A. pomi has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study evaluated the ovicidal and larvicidal efficacy of PSOs (2% v/v) applied at the delayed dormant/green tip stage in apple orchards in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Laboratory and field assays demonstrated substantial suppression of egg hatch, with cumulative hatch reduced to 9.90 ± 0.57% (laboratory assay) and 9.62 ± 0.71% (field evaluation) in treated shoots compared to 46.91 ± 0.68% and 53.25 ± 3.25% in controls, respectively. Survival analyses revealed significantly higher mortality risk for treated eggs. Direct toxicity trials on nymphs showed mortality rates of 69.9 ± 1.95% in field conditions and >99% in lab dip assays by 5 days after treatment. Residual toxicity assays indicated cumulative mortality reaching 64.07 ± 2.74 % by 2 days post-exposure, confirming efficacy even after drying. Field trials further revealed that PSO significantly reduced bud infestation by A. pomi (5.22 ± 0.54%) compared to the untreated control (19.04 ± 2.34%), with enhanced suppression observed when combined with imidacloprid (0.29 ± 0.14%). These findings underscore the potential of PSO as both a standalone and synergistic agent in aphid management, particularly when integrated with systemic insecticides. This is the first detailed report on the ovicidal and larvicidal activity of PSOs against A. pomi, supporting its inclusion in sustainable, early-season integrated pest management programs.
Files
Steps to reproduce
File: 1_HMO vs Egg hatch_Field evaluation.xlsx Description: The ovicidal efficacy of Petroleum Spray Oil (PSO) or Horticulture Mineral Oil (HMO) against overwintering eggs of the Aphis pomi was evaluated in a field experiment. File: 2_HMO vs Egg hatch_Lab assay.xlsx Description: The ovicidal efficacy of PSO against overwintering eggs of the Aphis pomi was evaluated in a controlled condition in laboratory. File: 3_Egg survival_Field evaluation.xlsx Description: Data set derived from the effect of PSO on egg hatch under field condition. Tracking the fate of each individual egg in each cohort (Treat+Shoot + Segment) over time, and eggs that never hatched are censored at the last time they were still present. The hatching of egg was treated as censored and death as the event (shriveled eggs marked as dead). File: 4_Egg survival_Lab assay.xlsx Description: Data set derived from the effect of PSO on egg hatch under laboratory condition. Tracking the fate of each individual egg in each cohort (Treat+Shoot + Segment) over time, and eggs that never hatched are censored at the last time they were still present. The hatching of egg was treated as censored and death as the event (shriveled eggs marked as dead). File: 5_Direct Toxicity_Field evaluation.xlsx Description: Effect of PSO application on the neonate nymphs of Aphis pomi under field condition, on both mixed and vegetative buds. File: 6_Direct Toxicity_Lab assay.xlsx Description: Effect of PSO application on the neonate nymphs of Aphis pomi under laboratory condition. File: 7_Residual Toxicity_Lab assay.xlsx Description: Effect of the residues of PSO application on the neonate nymphs of Aphis pomi under laboratory condition. File: 8_HMO + Insecticides_Field evaluation.xlsx Description: Efficacy of PSO alone and mixed with insecticides against Aphis pomi incidence in early season
Institutions
- Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture