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The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) is a serious and economically important pest of cruciferous crops worldwide. The nutritional indices of this pest on four host plants including two canola (SLM₀₄₆ and RGS₀₀₃) and two cabbage cultivars (Green-Cornet and Glob-Master) were determined under laboratory conditions (25 ± 0.5 °C, 65 ± 5% RH and 16: 8 L: D h). The highest relative consumption rate (RCR) and relative growth rate (RGR) were recorded on RGS₀₀₃ (95.68 ± 14.52 mg/mg/day) and SLM₀₄₆(0.382 ± 0.041 mg/mg/day), respectively. The efficiency of the conversion of ingested food (ECI) and efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) were significantly higher on SLM₀₄₆ (2.298 ± 0.646 and 2.471 ± 0.719%, respectively). However, there was no significant difference among cultivars regarding approximate digestibility (AD) index. The highest feeding performance of the larvae of P. xylostella was found on SLM₀₄₆. The nutritional indices are appropriate tools in host plant resistance evaluation and they also could provide profound understanding of the behavioral and physiological bases of insect-host plant interactions.  

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The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an important pest of rapeseed. In this study, the effects of a silicon-based fertilizer, silicate potassium (SP), and salicylic acid (SA) on inducing resistance in rapeseed to the aphid were studied under field conditions. The rapeseed plants were directly sprayed with SP and SA at two application rates, and the population density of alive and parasitized aphids by Diaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was recorded every three days. The results showed that the aphid population densities in SP and SA treatments were significantly lower than in control (2.21 and 3.53 folds, respectively). The lowest population density was observed in the SP treatment (1200 g/ ha). Moreover, the parasitized aphid densities in the treatments were significantly increased, and the highest parasitism was recorded in the SP treatment (1200 g/ha). The rapeseed yield in the SP-treated plants was significantly more than control, and the highest yield increase was observed in SP treatment (1200 g/ha). According to the results, SP at 1200 g/ha is recommended for cultural control of B. brassicae in the rapeseed fields.

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Cabbage is an important component of agriculture in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for its various food uses. It is important to identify pests that affect its production, which is still insufficient to meet the increasing consumer needs. Furthermore, insect data for tropical agroecosystems, particularly those of DRC are limited, making insect diversity poorly understood. The objective of this study is to assess the diversity and abundance of entomofauna related to cabbage in five different cabbage growing sites: Minova, Sake, Kibumba, Rutshuru and Lac Vert. This was achieved by trapping insects with the sweep net and yellow pantraps during 2021 and 2022. A total of 1109 insects from 9 orders and 48 families were collected. The most abundant pest families were Ciccadellidae (8%), Coreidae (7%), Chysomelidae (5%) and Pentatomidae (4%). The main families of beneficial insects (natural enemies and pollinators) identified were Syrphidae (7%), Carabidae (4%), Coccinellidae (3%) and Apidae (3%). Insect communities found in different locations were similar and diversified. Considering functions played by these different functional groups as ecological indicators, it is important to preserve entomological biodiversity. This is achieved through the rational selection of pest management methods to optimize ecosystem services provided by beneficial insects.

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Aims: The purpose of this study was to optimize the extraction of anthocyanin from red cabbage and its application in low calorie gummi candy with replacement of stevioside as a natural sweetener instead of sucrose.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the extraction of anthocyanin from red cabbage powder was performed by maceration method. Extraction variables include solvent type (acidic water, acid ethanol, acid water- acid ethanol, 50:50 ratio), solvent / solids ratio (1.20, 1.30, 1.40) ml/g, extraction temperature (40-60-80 °C), extraction time (1-2-3 h). The anthocyanin extracted in the production of functional low-free calorie gummi candy was used as a food model system.
The variables in this section included three levels of Stevioside (0.5-0.1-0.15,w/w) g and three levels of anthocyanin extracted from red cabbage (0.035-0.9-1.4, v/w) ml. Statistical analysis was performed using RSM method and a Central composite design in anthocyanin extraction stage and completely randomized design based on factorial test at 95% confidence level in gummi candy production.
Result: According to the results, Maximum extraction efficiency was predicted under the conditions of Temperature and time, 40 °C and 1 hour and the solvent / solids ratio of 20 ml/g, with acidic solvent. The results of analysis of variance showed that the FI2 model was significant for the anthocyanin yield. The R2 was 0.835, and the lack of fit was not significant. The total anthocyanin concentration predicted was 300.53 (mg/100 g of dry matter). Based on the results of the tissue profile, gummi candies containing 0.9% anthocyanins and 0.1% stevia were selected and with appropriate characteristics
Conclusion: Based on the results, red cabbage anthocyanins can be used as natural dye in the production of functional foods such as gummi candy and by substituting sugar (using stevioside and inulin), healthier, more nutritious products with optimal quality characteristics produced.

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In the present study, the properties of polylactic acid marker film combined with red cabbage and beet anthocyanins were investigated. There were four samples: 1 (polylactic acid without anthocyanins), 2 (polylactic acid containing red cabbage anthocyanins), 3 (polylactic acid containing beet anthocyanin) and 4 (polylactic acid containing beet anthocyanin and red cabbage). Thickness, solubility, mechanical properties and changes in color indices were analyzed. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the thickness of the film samples (p> 0.05). The highest solubility belonged to the sample 1 and the minimum solubility was detected insample 4. The highest increase in elongation at break was seen in samples 3 and 4 and the lowest increase in elongation at break belonged to sample 1 (p≤0.05). In all the films except sample 1, by pH rise (up to pH = 14), L * factor increased significantly (p≤0.05). In all pH ranges, sample 1 had the highest L * and sample 3 had the lowest one (p≤0.05). a * indice in sample 3, at pH = 1-6, had an increasing trend and then decreased to pH = 14 (p≤0.05). In samples 2 and 4 at pH = 1-13, a decreasing trend was observed and then up to pH=14 an increasing trend was observed (p≤0.05). For b *in sample 2 there was a decline at pH = 1-12, then up to pH = 14, an increasing trend was detected (p≤0.05). The b * of sample 3 and 4 had a fall until pH=11 and 12 respectively following an increasing trend up to pH=14 (p≤0.05). The best sample was sample 4 due to suitable physical properties and clearer color changes at different pH.
 

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Pieris brassicae (L.), a brassica specialist, is one of the most destructive and widespread pests of cruciferous crops in many countries of the world. It causes about 40 per cent damage on cruciferous crops including cabbage and cauliflower which are the two major vegetables produced and consumed in India. Development of an insect resistant cultivar is a sought after goal in insect-pest management as it provides farmers with an effective, economically sound, and environment friendly option for pest management. However, the first step in the development of an insect resistant cultivar is precise knowledge of source(s) of resistance. In this study, we screened a diverse array of 63 brassicaceous accessions (mostly wild crucifers) under field as well as laboratory conditions to determine P. brassicae performance under free choice (in the field) and no choice (in laboratory) conditions. Resistant accessions were identified among Brassica barrelieri, B. fruticulosa, B. maurorum, Crambe abyssinica, Diplotaxis muralis, D. tenuisiliqua, Erucastrum abyssinicum, Raphanus rugosum, Sinapis alba and S. arvensis. Biochemical analysis of the putative accessions revealed that high concentration of total glucosinolates had a significant negative impact on insect development, while reverse was true for total phenols and total flavonols. Our findings may be useful for genetic improvement of both vegetable and crop brassicas aimed at development of cultivars resistant to P. brassicae. This research again shows the importance of crop wild relatives for finding pest resistance.
 

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The study investigated the toxicity of Parthenium extracts in comparison with Neem extracts against 3^rd and 4^th instar larvae of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L.. The side effect of Parthenium extracts was also examined against larval parasitoid, Cotesia plutellae. Extracts obtained from their respective plants were dissolved independently to get stock solutions, which were further diluted to different concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%) with distilled water. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with four treatments, including the control, and replicated six times in vitro. Results showed that Parthenium crude extracts was very effective in comparison with the control against P. xylostella, whilst the highest mortality was recorded at 3% concentration of Neem in comparison with Parthenium extracts against both stages of P. xylostella. Overall, the highest mortality was recorded at 3% concentration of Neem extracts followed by 2% Neem extracts, 3% Parthenium extracts, 1% neem, 2% and 1% Parthenium extracts. The lowest mortality was noted in the control (i.e. 70%, 58.33%, 51.67%, 35%, 33.33%, 18.33% and 16.67% in case of 3^rd instar mortality whilst 61.67%, 50%, 41.67%, 30%, 16.67% and 15% in case of 4^th instar mortality, respectively). Less harmful effect was observed for larval parasitoid, C. plutellae. Finally, it was concluded that all the treatments had the ability to control P. xylostella to some extent, but Parthenium crude extract was less efficient in comparison with Neem extract, as 3% crude extract of Neem had a sufficiently toxic effect on the P. xylostella.
 

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This study aimed to contribute to the reduction of environmental pollution through the reuse of the Hoagland solution drained from lettuce by soilless growth system in ornamental kale. The study was set up in two greenhouses using lettuce and ornamental kale in soilless culture. The lettuce cultivation was conducted to supply the waste drainage solution; therefore, the lettuce analyses were not included in the study. Both plants were set up with 3 replicates random blocks trial design in solid media culture and open feeding system. In the study, 3 salinity levels (S0: Control, S1: Waste drainage solution salinity concentration, S2: S1+1 dS m^-1 NaCI) were used. The greatest plant height and leaf width were obtained in the control and in the S1, in which a drainage solution was used in ornamental kale cultivation. The plant diameter, leaf height and visual value decreased with increasing salinity. It was concluded that appropriate management of recycled drainage water could be an alternative for ornamental kale production in soilless culture.