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Insecticidal effect of the mixture of Potassium soap and Pyrethroids on Potato

Leaf roll Virus (PLRV) found on Potato Plants

Article · April 2013

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ISSN: 2278-1862

Journal of Applicable Chemistry

2013, 2 (3): 518-525
(International Peer Reviewed Journal)

Insecticidal effect of the mixture of Potassium soap and Pyrethroids on

Potato Leaf roll Virus (PLRV) found on Potato Plants

Jain Dheeraj*, Jaison Susan and Sidhardhan Nisha

*School of Chemical Sciences, St. John’s College Agra (U.P), INDIA

Email: [email protected]

Received on 18th April and finalized on 28th April 2013.

_____________________________________________________________________________
ABSTRACT
The potato is best known for its carbohydrate content. It is the world's fourth-largest food crop, following
rice, wheat and maize.Plant pests and diseases are the major contributors to biotic stresses that limit
realization of yield potential of crop-plants [1]. The annual losses of crop produce in India are estimated
at 25%. This indicates importance and need for strengthening of the existing bio-security system more so
with the advances in agriculture, and changes in agricultural practices, in climatic conditions, and in
indigenous pests, evolving into more virulent forms over the years. The diseases continue to spread over
large areas. Diseases like Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) of potato plants are caused by whiteflies directly
or indirectly were treated by insecticidal soaps (Potassium palmitate and pyrethroides), Potassium
palmitate and pyrethroides. These three insecticides were applied weekly and bi-weekly on the whiteflies
and note down the results after fourth week of application. A specific insecticide formulation consisting
potassium palmitate soaps and pyrethroides together exhibits effective combination to provide enhanced
insecticidal efficacy and residuality as compared with the individual components [2]. They are effective
against soft bodies insects like whiteflies, aphids, and spider. These soap based insecticides of different
concentrations were prepared and applied on the plants having whiteflies. The synthesized soap
compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectral studies and molar conductance
measurements.

Keywords: Soap, fatty acid, I.R, whiteflies, insecticidal soap, non-persistent insecticides.
______________________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, India faced losses of over Rs 11,800 million due to late blight of potato caused by
whiteflies and Aphids; affecting potato field over 1.4 million hectares [3]. One-hundred and fourteen virus
species are transmitted by whiteflies (family Aleyrodidae).The tremendous increase in crop yields
associated with the ‘green’ revolution has been possible in part by the discovery and utilization of
chemicals for pest control. The potato contains vitamins and minerals, as well as an assortment of
phytochemicals, such as carotenoids and natural phenols. Chlorogenic acid constitutes up to 90% of the
potato tuber natural phenols. Whiteflies are small sucking insect related to aphids, leafhoppers, and
mealybugs [4]. They are usually found on the undersides of young leaves and have the capacity for rapid
reproduction when conditions are favorable. When leaves are disturbed in infected crops, clouds of white

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flying insects indicate their presence. Warm weather, nearby whitefly host crops or weeds and poor
hygiene in protected cropping structures increase the risk of whitefly infection. Whitefly can damage
plants by sucking sap from the plants, causing reduced growth, leaf yellowing, stunting, and yield
reduction. Damage is similar to that caused by aphids. Sticky, sugary secretions called honeydew from
whitefly can result in the development of sooty mould, which in turn affects the photosynthetic (food-
producing) abilities of the leaves. Adults and nymphs are usually found feeding on the underside of leaves.
When synthetic pyrethroids [5] mixed with potassium salt of fatty acids, it is found to be an effective
combination to provide enhanced insecticidal efficacy and residuality. These soap based insecticides of
different concentrations were prepared and applied on the plants having whiteflies. This soap based
insecticides which is easy to handle and to apply or safe to use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The acid was purified by distilling under reduced pressure. The purity of acid was checked by determining
their boiling / melting points. The purified palmitic acid M.P. 61oC and B.P. 50oC.
Preparation of Potassium salt of fatty acids (Soap): Potassium salts of fatty acids (soap) were prepared
by refluxing equivalent amounts of corresponding fatty acids and aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide
for 6-8 hours on a water bath. The soap was purified by recrystallisation with benzene-methanol mixture
and dried under reduced pressure. The purity of the soap was checked by the determination of their melting
point. The melting point of purified potassium palmitate was 117oC. The specifications of Potassium
palmitate are given in table1.

K__OH + C15H31COO ___H C15H31COOK + H2O

Pot. Hydroxide Palmitic Acid Potassium palmitate(Soap)

Table 1: specifications of Potassium palmitate

Appearance White granular powder

Free fatty acids 3 % Max.

Moisture 10 % Max.

Free alkali 5 % Max.

Feel Soapy

PH of 10 % aqueous 10
solution
Solubilty Slow in cold water / alcohol, freely soluble in hot
solvents.

Pyrethroids: Pyrethrum/Pyrethrins/Pyrethroids are broad-spectrum insecticides. Pyrethrum powders are

made directly from the flowers of a species of Chrysanthemum and pyrethrins are the active compounds
from the pyrethrum flower. Pyrethroids are synthesized pyrethrins. These materials disrupt the nervous
system of insects and cause paralysis [6]. They are fast acting and often used for their “knock-down”
effects to quickly reduce large insects pest population. They are moderately toxic to humans and other
mammals and break down quickly from sunlight, moisture and oxygen, leaving no residues [7,8].These
natural pyrethrins have the disadvantage that they are rapidly decomposed by light. The structure is shown
in fig.1

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Fig.1 The Structure of pyrethroid

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In the IR spectrum of potassium salts of fatty acids, the absorption bands of C-H stretching vibrations viz.
the symmetrical vibration of CH2 at 2860-2850 cm-1, the asymmetrical stretching vibration of CH2 at 2920-
2910 cm-1, the asymmetrical stretching vibration of CH3 at 2960-2940 cm-1 and the deformation of CH2 at
1498-1320 cm-1 are observed in the spectra of potassium salts of fatty acids as well as in fatty acid. The
evenly spaced progressive bands near 1350-1188 cm-1 which are characteristic of the hydrocarbon chain of
acid remain unchanged on preparing the carboxylate from the corresponding fatty acid. The absorption
bands observed near 2660-2640, 1700, 930-900, 575-530 cm-1, in the spectra of fatty acid have indicated
the presence of localized –COOH group in the form of dimeric structure and the existence of
intermolecular hydrogen bonding between two molecules of the acid.
The appearance of two absorption band of carbonyl group corresponding to the symmetric and asymmetric
vibrations of carboxylate ion near 1470-1410 and 1560-1540 cm-1 respectively in the spectra of potassium
salts of fatty acids indicate that there is a complete resonance in the C-O bonds of carbonyl group of the
carboxylates molecules and the two bonds become identical with the force constant assuming the value
intermediate between those of normal double and single bonds. It is therefore concluded that the
resonance character of the ionized carboxyl group is retained in these metal carboxylates and the fatty
acids exist with dimeric structure through hydrogen bonding whereas the metal-to-oxygen bonds in these
metal carboxylates are ionic in character. It is therefore concluded that the soap molecules do not show
appreciable aggregation below the CMC and there is a marked increase in the aggregation of the soap
molecules at this definite soap concentration. The CMC (critical micelle concentration) of potassium
palmitate is 3.1×10-3 dm3 L-1. Many samples of various concentration having different pH have been
prepared by mixing potassium palmitate and pyrethroids of different dilution (%), and then sprayed on
plant to check the efficacy of this insecticidal spray on daily and bi-weekly interval.

Fig. 2 I R Spectra of potassium palmitate

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APPLICATIONS

Application of Insecticides: We applied individually Potassium palmitate, pyrethroides and mixture of

Potassium palmitate and pyrethroides. These three insecticides were applied weekly and bi-weekly on the
whiteflies and note down the results after fourth week of application. After the single application of
potassium palmitate these was little impact on plants whiteflies, table 2. Pyrethroids are highly toxic to
insects like whiteflies [9], aphids but also has an adverse effect on the plants and environment, Table 3.
After fourth week of application some whiteflies were dead but not much improvement in the plants leaf as
they were still affected and unhealthy. So we made a formulation of potassium soap (palmitate) and
pyrethroides [10].
Table 2. Impact of Potassium palmitate (CMC 3.1 × 10-3 gm dm-1 ) on Whiteflies

pH value of Effect on plants Effect on plants

Sr.
Plant potassium (after weekly (after bi-weekly Toxicity
No
palmitate application) application)

Needs frequent
1 First plant 7.90 No impact Less toxic
application
Second Needs frequent
2 8.30 No impact Less toxic
plant application
Needs frequent
3 Third plant 8.50 No impact Less toxic
application
Needs frequent
4 Fourth plant 8.76 No impact Less toxic
application
Needs frequent
5 Fifth plant 8.95 No impact Less toxic
application
6 Sixth plant 9.10 No impact Less effective Less toxic
Seventh
7 9.30 No impact Less effective Less toxic
plant
Eighth
8 9.65 No impact Less effective Less toxic
plant

Table3. Impact of pyrethroids (synthetic pyrethrum) on whiteflies

pH value
Effect on plants
Sr. of Effect on plants (after
Plants (after bi-weekly Toxicity
No pyrethroid weekly application)
application)
s
1 First plant 7.90 Needs frequent Toxic
Effective
application
2 Second plant 8.30 Needs frequent Toxic
Effective
application
3 Third plant 8.50 Needs frequent Toxic
Effective
application
4 Fourth plant 8.76 Needs frequent More toxic
Effective
application
5 Fifth plant 8.95 Needs frequent
Effective More toxic
application
6 Sixth plant 9.10 Less effective Effective More toxic
7 Seventh plant 9.30 Less effective Effective More toxic

8 Eighth plant 9.65 Less effective Effective More toxic

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In first row there were two sections and each section have fifteen plants affected by a disease potato leaf
roll virus (PLRV) which is caused by whiteflies. Leaflets roll upwards from the margin and progress
towards the midribs until the entire lamina is involved. Leaflets are thick leathery brittle and rattling sound
when disturbed. Few tubes cluster around the stem. These are the main symptoms of PLRV disease caused
by whiteflies (pictures 1-4).
We have prepared fifteen spray solutions of mixture of potassium palmitate and pyrethroids of different
concentration having pH 8.68, 8.76, 8.94, 9.09, 9.32, 9.66, 9.71, 9.73, 9.80, 9.96, 10.13, 10.29, 10.44,
10.69, and 10.80. The second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth plants were treated with the insecticidal solution
containing potassium palmitate and pyrethroids having pH 8.68, 8.76, 8.94, 9.09 and 9.32 showed the
same symptoms of PLRV (potato leaf roll virus). The leaflet roll upwards from the margin and infected
plants are stunted and have a light yellow to pale green color, few tubes cluster around the stem. After the
bi-weekly and weekly application of these solutions and even the fourth weeks of the application. There
was not much impact on plant status. These spray solution need frequent application. As their mortality
was also very low and do not have good efficacy against whiteflies. Seventh, eighth plants which were
treated with the insecticidal solution having pH 9.66, 9.71 of potassium palmitate and pyrethroids showed
less impact even after the fourth week of bi-weekly and weekly application as their mortality was not high.
Ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth, plants were treated with the solution having pH
9.73, 9.80, 9.96, 10.13,10.29 and 10.44 of potassium palmitate and pyrethroids. They have curling of leaf
and infected plants are stunted have a light yellow to pale green color. After the fourth week of application
of bi-weekly in the beginning and weekly (after two weeks of application), the mortality of these solutions
were also greater than the other solution of potassium palmitate and pyrethroids, the leaves were healthy
and plants were growing normally. So there solutions having pH 9.73-10.44 of potassium palmitate and
pyrethroids were found to be effective for controlling potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) disease. Fifteenth and
sixteenth plants of this section were treated with the soap solution of potassium palmitate and pyrethroids
having pH 10.69-10.80 were suffering from the same disease and having same symptoms. Their leaflets
are malformed, tubers develop necrosis. Even after the fourth week application their mortality rate was low
and could not control the whiteflies. So, the plants did not grow normally and there leaves were healthy
only with the repeat application of the soap solution. We found that the insecticidal solution of potassium
palmitate and pyrethroids having pH 9.73-10.44 were effective [11]and their mortality were high for
controlling PLRV disease of potato plants (Table 4.)

Pic.1. Potato healthy plants Pic.2. Whiteflies present on Potato plants

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Pics.3-4. Potato Leaf roll virus (PLRV) symptoms

Table 4. Impact of mixture of potassium palmitate (CMC 3.1 × 10-3 gm dm-3) and
pyrethroids on potato plants (PLRV)

pH value of
potassium
Concentration
Sr. First row palmitate (CMC 3.1 %
of pyrethroids Effect on plants
No (section :2) × 10-3 gm / dm3 ) mortality
and pyrethroids
spray
1 First plant ------- ------- ------- -----

2 Second plant 1 8.68 Not effective 28

3 Third plant 2 8.76 Not effective 30
4 Fourth plant 3 8.94 Not effective 31
5 Fifth plant 4 9.09 Not effective 33
6 Sixth plant 5 9.32 Not effective 35
7 Need frequent
Seventh plant 6 9.66 38
application
8 Need frequent
Eighth plant 7 9.71 40
application
9 Ninth plant 8 9.73 Effective 45
10 Tenth plant 9 9.80 Effective 48
11 Eleventh plant 10 9.96 Effective 50
12 Twelfth plant 11 10.13 Effective 55
13 Thirteenth plant 12 10.29 Effective 59
14 Fourteenth plant 13 10.44 Effective 44
15 Fifteenth plant Need frequent
14 10.69 40
application
16 Sixteenth plant Need frequent
15 10.80 38
application

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CONCLUSIONS

A specific insecticide formulation consisting of potassium palmitate and pyrethroids found to be an

effective combination for PLRV disease in potato plants to provide enhanced insecticidal efficacy and
residuality. It is effective to control of a broad range of whiteflies in PLRV disease in potato plants table4.
These insecticides reduce pest populations kill the pest but not other organisms. Break down quickly and
have low toxicity to human and other mammals. The use of insecticides has greatly enhanced agricultural
productivity but it has positive impact on the environment as well as on the plant also. They are
moderately toxic to humans and other mammals and break down quickly from sunlight, moisture and
oxygen, leaving no residues. We found that the insecticidal solution of potassium palmitate and
pyrethroids having pH 9.73-10.44 were effective and their mortality were high for controlling PLRV
disease of potato plants(Graph-1).

80

70
59
60 55
%Mortality

48 50
50 45 44
38 40 40 38
40 33 35
30 31
28
30

20
8.68 8.76 8.94 9.09 9.32 9.66 9.71 9.73 9.8 9.96 10.13 10.29 10.44 10.69 10.8
10

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Concentration %

(Graph: 1) Concentration VS Mortality of Potassium Palmitate and Pyrethroids (PLRV)

pH Value Mortality of potassium palmitate

We therefore conclude that mixture of soap based insecticide containing pyrethroids (synthetic pyrethrum)
is an eco-friendly, safe. This insecticidal soap solution having potassium salt of fatty acid and pyrethroids
fulfills the main objectives of inventing an eco-friendly pesticide against whiteflies.

REFERENCES

[1] B. Swanson, Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 2006, 13(3), 5–17.
[2] R.G. Belz, Pest Manage. Sci. 2007, 63, 308.
[3] V. Sulaiman, A.W.Rasheed and van den Ban. Agricultural Extension in India- The
Next Step, 2000.
[4] J.H. Martin, Whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)- their systematic history and the
resulting problems of conventional taxonomy, with special reference to descriptions of
aleyrodes proletella (Linnaeus, 1758), 2003.
[5] Anonymous. Method for determination of synthetic pyrethroids in agricultural and food
commodities, IS 14913, New Delhi. 2001.
[6] J.R. Bloomquist, Biochem. Physiol, 1993, 106c, 301-314.
[7] F. E. Rickett, Allergenicity of pyrethrum oleoresin and its Cross-reaction.
[8] J.C.Mitchell, Dupuis, G.H.N. The roles of Pyrethrosion. 1972.

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[9] Anonymous, Toxicological profile for Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids, Public Health Center, U.S.A,
1-4, 2003.
[10] R.Saravanan, In ICTs for agricultural extension: Global experiments, innovations and experiences,
ed. R. Saravanan. New Delhi, India, 2010.
[11] Hayes, W.J., Laws, E. R., Eds. Handbook of Pesticide Toxicology, Classes of Pesticides;
Academic Press: NY, Vol. 3, 1990.

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