Efeito letal de óleo de moringa (Moringa oleífera Lamarck) sobre a lagarta do cartucho (Spodoptera frugiperda)

Abstract

The search for alternatives that allows the use of more sustainable agricultural practices has been set the path of research in the sense of reducing the employment of chemicals in food production. In the organic agriculture, farmers resort to natural products to control pests and diseases, guarantying satisfactory production levels without using chemical molecules, notoriously toxic and hazard to human health and the environment. The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is of the main pests on corn (Zea mays) and can cause significative economical damage, with the potential to eradicate entire crops. In face of this circumstance, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of a natural insecticide based on moringa (Moringa oleifera) seed oil for controlling the fall armyworm. The trial was performed by two in vitro steps by Entirely Randomized Design and a third step at the greenhouse for the observation of leaf toxicity. Moringa seed oil has promoted the fall armyworm control at initial instars, however the highest concentrations provoked tissue damages on corn leaves.