Nutmeg Extract and Aphid Survival in Chilli
Description
Chilli (Capsicum annum L.) faces significant threats from aphid (Myzus persicae) infestations, which damage plants by extracting sap and spreading viruses. Current pest control methods rely on expensive synthetic pesticides that pose environmental risks, underscoring the need for sustainable alternatives. This study explores nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtte) pericarp extract as a natural aphid deterrent. Extracts were prepared at concentrations of 12.5 g (A), 25 g (B), 50 g (C), 75 g (D), and 100 g (E) per 100 mL of water. In lab trials, filter papers treated with these concentrations and control were exposed to 25 one-day-old aphids, with survival monitored at 24 and 48 hours. Similarly, in greenhouse trials, nine-week-old chilli plants infested with 10 one-day-old aphids received the treatments, and aphid survival was observed over five days. Significant reductions in aphid survival (p=0.000) were noted with treatments C, D, and E (≥ 50 g/100 mL), indicating substantial aphid mortality compared to other. Nutmeg pericarp extract, particularly at higher concentrations, shows promise as an effective botanical pesticide for managing aphids in chilli cultivation.