Pepper is one of the main vegetable crops in Benin, but its production is confronted with enormous biotic constraints including viral diseases most often transmitted by insect vectors. To control these viral diseases, the use of chemical pesticides has been adopted by the growers. However, these chemicals are harmful to both consumers and the environment. In this study, the effect of some aqueous extracts of local plants such as hyptis, neem and garlic on the population of insect vectors and on the pepper viral disease incidences were investigated in two different villages in Malanville (Kotchi and Bodjécali). In addition, the effect of some cultural practices on the insect vector population was assessed. The results showed that the prevalence of the Pepper veinal mottle virus (PVMV) and the Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) varied significantly depending on all the treatments. The lowest PVMV prevalence were observed on plots treated with the insecticide PACHA (15.28 ± 0.36). For CMV, lower prevalence were observed on the plot treated with aqueous extract of neem alternated with insecticide PACHA and the plot treated with the aqueous extract of neem seed. The aphid population varied significantly depending on the treatment, the treatment date and the treated plot locations. The highest yield (5.13 T / ha) was obtained with the bran-based treatment based on the ribbons sound under the effect of the wind. The aqueous extracts of neem, hyptis and garlic can be used as biopesticides to control PVMV and CMV as well as their insect vector.

Keywords: Integrated Pest Management, synthetic pesticide, hyptis, neem, garlic, Malanville