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FACTSHEETS FOR FARMERS
www.plantwise.orgCreated in Zambia, July 2015

Garlic formulations to control aphids in cabbage

Recognize the problem

Cabbage suffers from aphid attacks. Aphids are tiny, pale grey or green, soft-

bodied insects. They can have wings or no wings. They often sit in groups on

the underside of leaves. They suck plant sap, spread viruses and excrete a

sticky liquid that coats the plant. Fungi will thrive on the sticky liquid and

produce sooty mould. Sucking of plant sap causes curling, wrinkling or cupping

of the infested leaves. Plants will be deformed and stunted and produce

unmarketable heads and leaves. Yellowish-greenish mosaic symptoms are due

to virus diseases spread by aphids such as cauliflower mosaic virus and turnip

mosaic virus.

Background

Aphids are often crowded (in colonies) on stems or on the underside of leaves.

An adult aphid can produce up to 20 offspring per day. Under favourable

conditions, aphid populations grow very quick. There are a number of different

plants that aphids do not like. These plants contain substances that are like

insecticides or repellents. Garlic is one of such plants. Garlic extracts can be

used to repel aphids from feeding on cabbage. It can even kill aphids and other

soft insects such as small caterpillars. When 5 to 10 plants of a ¼ acre field

have several leaves with small aphid colonies, then consider spray. However, if

cabbage viruses are known to be in the area, then act earlier.

Management

• Finely chop 10 garlic cloves

• Add 5 to 6 plastic-bottle lids, or about 4 to 5 tablespoons, of mineral oil

or liquid paraffin

• Add 1 litre, or about 4 cups, warm water.

• Mix garlic and oil together and let it steep for 2 days.

• Dissolve 15 grams grated soap (chopped bar soap) or flakes in warm

water and then mix the 2 solutions together. Or add 1 to 2 bottle-lids of

pure, or 1 to 2 table spoons of liquid, soap

• Add 1 part of mixture to 5 parts water (for example 5 cup mixture to 25

cups of water). Put into sprayer.

• Spray directly on the cabbage leaves and heads targeting the pest.

• Sprays must cover the aphids, otherwise they will not work

• Spray in the morning or late afternoons to prevent quick breakdown of

spray by sun, and increase efficiency of the spray.

• Results will show about a day after spraying.

• Repeat the spray after 1 or 2 weeks if needed, but do not spray more

than 2 times a season

• Do not spray 2 weeks or less before harvest

Scientific name(s) > Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii, Brevicoryne brassicae

The recommendations in this factsheet are relevant to: Zambia

Authors: Sichilima Isaac

Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI)

tel: +260977692307 email: isichilima@yahoo.com

Edited by Plantwise

Plantwise is a global initiative led by CABI

ZM047En

Lose Less, Feed More

Cabbage leaf infected with aphids.

(Photo by A. M. Verala, icipe)

Adult wingless aphid that is only 2

to 3 mm long but some have

wings. (Photo by Volkov S.M. et al.,

1955, via Agro atlas)

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