Garlic formulations to control aphids in cabbage: Aphis gossypii;Brevicoryne brassicae;Myzus persicae

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.

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.