Does the Presence of Detergent In Water Affect Plant Growth?

Background of the Research

The citrus whitefly Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) and the citrus red mite (Panonychus citri McGregor) are arthropods considered primary pests in the citrus industry (Gonzalez, 1989; Prado, 1991). Research in the main citrus areas of the country is established for the management of both pests should be favored the action of natural enemies associated with them. A whitefly parasitoids are associated Amitus spiniferus and Cales noacki Howard, however, the authors have found that honey dew and downy that causes plague affecting the activity of beneficial agents mentioned, as these residues are attached their legs and antennae, which hinders their mobility and probably alter important parameters in the interaction with its host, such as instant search efficiency and handling time (Hassell, 1981), as they must spend much time cleaning of the body. Regarding the associated natural enemies of citrus red mite in predators are the most common phytoseiid mite Euseius fructicolus (Gonzalez Schuster) and two species of beetles: the coccinellid Stethorus histrioChazeau Oligota estafilínido pygmaea and Sun (Smulders, Rybinski, et al, p. 112-120).

There are precedents that applications of organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides produce a greater effect on the natural enemies of the pest to be controlled. As an alternative to the use of the insecticides, detergents have been used for pest management for over 200 years, however, there is little evidence demonstrating their effectiveness. The literature indicates that the detergents act as contact insecticides, and that its molecules penetrate the cuticle of insects and disrupt cell membranes, causing their death. Given the reduced surface tension of the mixture of water and detergent, also allows penetration by the spiracles, which reduces the availability of oxygen and kills insects. To this must be added to the mechanical effect of the application, which follows individuals who are on the structures of the plant (Smulders, Rybinski, et al, p. 112-120).

The use of detergents to control agricultural pests, with a small effect on natural enemies, has been evaluated under different conditions. Stansly Liu (1996) observed in laboratory detergent potassium oleate (M-Pede) was not toxic to the eggs, pupae and adults of the beetle Nephaspis oculatus (Blatchley), predator of whitefly Bemisia argentifolii (Bellows Perring). More recently, Schuster and Stansly (2000) studied topical and residual toxicity of various products in the laboratory, including potassium oleate detergent, lacewing Chrysoperla on rufilabris (Burmeister) and Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen), and determined that in normal doses field, the toxicity of potassium oleate on different stages of both species is low. Lawson and Weires (1991) compared the effectiveness of a detergent and oils for controlling Panonychus ulmi (Koch) on apple (Malus domestica) in the U.S., and found a slightly higher mortality of detergent (76.7%) compared without insecticide control (67.1%), and inferior to that obtained by various mineral oils. Murthy et al. (1994) in India reported a higher mortality barodensis Aleurolobus Maskell to a mixture of detergent and oil compared to various types of oils. the use of a biodegradable, alcohol ether sulfonate, urea, ...