Insecticidal Effects of Datura Species against Major Agricultural Pests

Insecticides derived from plants provide environmentally friendly and sustainable options as alternatives to synthetic chemicals. This investigation delves into the insecticidal capabilities of two distinct Datura species, namely, Datura alba and Datura stramonium, in combatting significant pests such as Spodoptera litura, Bemesia tabaci, and Callosobruchus maculatus. Datura plants have a well-documented history of medicinal use and are recognized for their abundant Tropane alkaloid content, which acts as an innate defense mechanism against pests. Hence, the current investigation involved the extraction of chemical compounds from the leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots of both Datura stramonium and Datura alba. Subsequently, these extracts were assessed for efficacy using Spodoptera litura larvae, Bemesia tabaci, and Callosobruchus maculatus in bioassays. The larvicidal experiments encompassed a range of concentrations (3%, 5%, 10%), with larval mortality being documented at multiple time intervals: 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours. The findings from our investigation uncover the notable insecticidal attributes of root, leaf, flower, and seed extracts from both Datura alba and Datura stramonium against these larvae. These extracts demonstrated distinct mortality rates at various concentrations and exposure durations. This comprehensive analysis imparts crucial knowledge regarding the insecticidal qualities of Datura species and their prospective contributions to sustainable pest control practices. The observed effectiveness of these plant extracts against a spectrum of significant pests hints at their potential as ecological alternatives within integrated pest management strategies.