Effect of red pepper and garlic extract on pistachio psylla nymph, Agonoscena pistaciae, in field conditions

Pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckharat & Lauterer (Hem.: Psyllidae), is the most important pest of pistachio orchards and reduce the quantity and quality of product. Several different insecticides have been used to control psylla. In the present study, for reduction of chemical insecticides using, the application of red pepper extract (Tondexir® EC85%), garlic extract (Sirinol® EC80%), cocunat botanical soap (Palizin® SL70%) and acetamipride (Mospilan®, SP 20%,) were tested in the fields of Kashmar region, during 2012. The botanical insecticides (2000 ppm concentration) and acetamipride insecticide (250 ppm) were sprayed over the whole canopy three times at 4–5-week intervals during May to July. The treatments were compared considering psylla population before and after treatment. Based on the field studies, red pepper extract application reduced more than acetamipride insecticide the psylla nymphs population in the first, second and third generations in pistachio trees. The rate of efficacy percentage for psylla nymph control, in 3 days after spraying were 86.7, 85.4, 77.3 and 78.2 and in 14 days after spraying were 69.4, 62.3, 59.3 and 49.3 for red pepper extract, acetamipride insecticide, garlic extract and cocunat soap treatments, respectively. Therefore, red pepper extract (Tondexir® Ec) spraying with 2000 ppm concentration, over the whole canopy of pistachio trees, were effective in decreasing pistachio psylla damage.