The effect of fractionated Tagetes oil volatiles on aphid reproduction

The biological activity of essential oil volatiles from Tagetes minuta L. (Mexican marigold) against three aphid species was investigated in a series of laboratory experiments. The aphid species (Homoptera: Aphididae) studied were: Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (pea aphid), Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (peach-potato aphid), and Aulacorthum solani (Kaltenbach) (glasshouse and potato aphid). Tagetes minuta oil volatiles significantly reduced aphid reproduction (up to 100% after 5 days of exposure). The effect depended on the quantity of essential oil used, and varied with the aphid species tested. Pea aphids were the most susceptible. Tagetes minuta oil was fractionated by vacuum distillation. Fractions and three pure compounds (limonene, (Z)-ocimene, and β-caryophyllene) were tested using the same experimental technique. The chemical composition of the volatiles was investigated by headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GCMS), and the main constituents of the oil were identified. Overall, applied in equal quantity, fractions predominantly containing sesquiterpenes and oxygenated monoterpenoids were more effective in restricting aphid population growth than fractions predominantly containing monoterpenes. When tested as a pure compound, the sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene produced a greater effect than the monoterpenes limonene and ocimene. The study demonstrates that T. minuta oil volatiles have potential for aphid control.