EXTRATOS AQUOSOS DE Tagetes minuta (ASTERACEAE) COMO ALTERNATIVA AO MANEJO AGRO-ECOLÓGICO DE AFÍDEOS EM HORTALIÇAS

In order to increase the knowledge about the biological ac- tivity of marigold (Tagetes minuta) as well as to contribute to the agro-ecological management strategies for vegetable crops, we studied the effects of the water extracts of leaves and flow- ers of this plant on the repellency, mortality, survival, nymph production and instantaneous growth rate of the aphid Bre- vicoryne brassicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Together with the 10% w/v crude extract of dried leaves and flowers, dilutions of 30 and 10%, as well as the commercial pest control prod- uct Xispa-praga' and a distilled water control were tested. Re- sults indicate a more pronounced repellent action of the leaves extract, while flowers showed better results on mortality with the crude extract and with the 30% dilution. The extracts of both flowers and leaves showed satisfactory results on survival, nymph production and instantaneous growth rate, reducing the survival and offspring of aphids, besides leading to a decline of the insect population. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]