Effects of neem and diatomaceous earth against Myzus persicae and associated predators in addition to indirect effects on artichoke growth and yield parameters

An important pest on artichoke is green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer). The associated predators of M. persicae, such as the coccinelids, Chrysopid and Anthocorids were recorded. In the present study, effects of the biological insecticide NeemAzal-T/S or diatomaceous earth alone or in combination against M. persicae and on the associated predators were evaluated. Experiments were conducted in the Production and Research Station of National Research Centre, El-Nobaria (northern Egypt) during the season of 2005/2006. Four treatments were applied on artichoke plants to control the aphids. Commercial NeemAzal-T/S significantly reduced the number of M. persicae. NeemAzal-T/S and diatomaceous earth in combination produced the best control of M. persicae and were safe on the associated predators. The indirect effects of the tested compounds on artichoke growth and yield parameters were studied. Neem in combination with diatomaceous earth ranked first to alleviate the adverse effects of aphids on artichoke plants and to improve the vegetative growth and bud yield, followed by neem alone, while diatomaceous earth alone came almost at the end.