The Efficiency of Alcoholic Extracts of Castor, Oleander, Nettle and Caper Plants in Controlling Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci in Eggplant Fields in the Central Region of Syria

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of four plant-based alcoholic extracts of Castor, Ricinus communis, Oleander, Nerium oleander, Nettle, Urtica diocia and Caper Capparis spinosa against different life stages (eggs, nymphs, and adults) of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Aleyrodidae) under field conditions. The experiment was conducted at the Al-Mukhtariya Research Station of the Syrian General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research in 2024, using a randomized complete block design with four replicates for each treatment. Alcoholic extracts were prepared from castor bean seeds, oleander leaves, caper fruits, and nettle leaves after drying and grinding them using 70% ethanol, and their effectiveness was assessed when sprayed on eggplant crops. The mortality rates of the different life stages, 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after treatment, were monitored. Results obtained showed that the castor extract was the most effective in achieving high mortality rates for eggs (79.5%), nymphs (81.9%), and adult whiteflies (75.1%). The other extracts performed less effectively, with the nettle extract ranking second, followed by milkweed and oleander. These findings confirmed that plant-based extracts, particularly castor, represent a promising alternative to conventional chemical pesticides for controlling B. tabaci. Further studies are needed to optimize application strategies and ensure environmental sustainability.

Keywords:

Castor, eggplant, nettle, oleander, plant extracts, whitefly.