POTENTIEL APHICIDE DE Rosmarinus officinalis SUR LE PUCERON DES CEREALES Rhopalosiphum maidis

Abstract

The use of chemicals against crop pests is more popular, in the world, than organic alternatives. These pesticides have shown harmful effects on humans and their environment. The present study aims to contribute in the creation of a biological control method against the cereal aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis by the application of extracted essential oils from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) collected from three regions in Algeria (Tebessa, Constantine and El Wadi). In order to test the insecticidal potential of this plant against the adults of this pest, three concentrations (50ųl, 100ųl and 200ųl) were tested. The results reveal that R. officinalis has a very important effect on the individuals of R. maidis because the mortality, which increases with time and concentration, reached 100% with the 3rd dose after only five days. Besides, the samples from Tebessa seem more efficient than those from other localities because this rate was recorded after only three days.