ABSTRACT

Galls are any deviation in the normal pattern of plant growth produced by a specific reaction to the presence and activity of a foreign organism, such as an animal or plant parasite. Psyllid Pauropsylla tuberculata causes leaf gall disease in Alastonia scholaris. The object of study was to evaluate the efficacy of plant-derived extracts against Pauropsylla tuberculata-induced galls on Alstonia scholaris. Field trials were conducted using ethanolic leaf and petroleum ether seed extracts from six plant species, such as Annona squamosa, Albizia lebbek, Lantana camara, Pongamia pinnata, Eucalyptus globulus, and Limonia acidissima, applied as neem oil-based emulsions. This study showed that Lantana camara leaf extract was 22.70% effective as to repellent activity against Pauropsylla tuberculata. These findings support the use of botanical extracts as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides.

Keywords: Galls Disease, Leaf Extract, Field trials, Biopesticide, Pauropsylla tuberculata, Alstonia scholaris.