Effects of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) powder extract against the pest of Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum Subsp. Sativus)

Abstract

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) is an important spice and medicinal plant in Sri Lanka. It comprises essential oils with antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and insecticidal properties. Radish (Raphanus sativus L.,) is an important and popular vegetable crop in Sri Lanka. The crop is attacked by many pests and farmers are using chemical insecticides to control pests. However use of chemical insecticides has bad impact on health and environment. Considering this important issue, a study was conducted at the Institute for Agro-technology and Rural Sciences of the University of Colombo in Weligaththa, Hambanthota to examine the insecticidal effect of different types of cinnamon preparations (bio-control) and their optimum dosage in radish cultivation. The treatments consist of 1% cinnamon powder water filtrate (CPWF), 1% cinnamon powder suspension (CPS), 0.6% abamectin and control using randomized complete block design. The results indicated that there was no significant different between chemical insecticide (abamectin) and the cinnamon powder applications for pest control. One percent cinnamon powder water filtrate significantly reduced the number of damaged leaves in radish plant with lowest number of pests. Therefore, cinnamon powder can be used to control pest damages of Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) without significant effect on growth performance in radish cultivation. The best form of application was cinnamon power water filtrate and the optimum concentration was 1.0% for controlling pests in radish cultivation.