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South Asian Research Journal of Agriculture and Fisheries (SARJAF)
Volume-8 | Issue-02
Original Research Article
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Chitosan, Certain Essential Oil Extracts, and the Fungus Penicillium commune in Controlling the Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, on Cucumber under Laboratory Conditions
Riham Kareem Alwan, Ghadeer Abduljabbar Rdhaiw, Ali Yousif Mutashar
Published : April 4, 2026
DOI : https://doi.org/10.36346/sarjaf.2026.v08i02.005
Abstract
Background: Bemisia tabaci is whitefly with the highest level of economic significance worldwide, has a moderate to disastrous economic. Aim: Evaluate safe alternatives to chemical pesticides for controlling the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, infesting cucumber crops. Methodology: Several pairs of adult insects (males and females) were collected from cucumber crops grown in greenhouses. Natural chitosan extracts and essential oil extracts from cloves and seeds were used. Results: Chitosan demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing susceptibility to infestation compared to the control treatment. The most effective result was observed at a 15% concentration, where the infestation rate decreased to 20.0% for the nymphal stage (compared to 61.0% in the control) and 19.6% for the adult stage (compared to 66.4% in the control). Clove oil treatments recorded high mortality rates, which increased with both concentration and exposure time. The highest mortality rate for nymphs was 86.9% at a concentration of 40 µl/mL, while the highest mortality for adults was 78.8% at the same concentration. Rapeseed essential oil also exhibited significant efficacy, correlating with increased concentrations; the maximum mortality rates recorded were 80.2% for nymphs and 73.1% for adults at a concentration of 40 µl/mL. Treatment with the Penicillium commune fungal filtrate induced high mortality rates that increased over the exposure period (1, 3, and 5 days). Conclusion: Biocontrol agents and botanical extracts (chitosan, essential oils, fungal filtrate) demonstrated high efficiency in controlling the whitefly, B. tabaci. This makes them safe and effective alternatives to chemical pesticides that negatively impact the environment and public health

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