Identification and efficacy of active metabolites of pomegranate fruit peel aqueous extract against sucking pests of rose and their predators

LC ESI Q-TOF metabolomic profiling of pomegranate ( Punica granatum Linn.) fruit peel (PFP) aqueous extract was performed to elucidate the possible metabolites present in the PFP, which could be responsible for its acaricidal property against two-spotted spider mites ( Tetranychus urticae ). Efficacy of PFP aqueous extract has also been evaluated against aphids ( Macrosiphum roseiformis ), thrips ( Scirthothrips dorsalis ) as important sucking pests of ornamental rose and for two generalist predators of these pests viz., Coccinella septumpunctata and Orius insidiosus . Toxicity bioassays PFP at 24 h showed highest value of lethal concentrations LC 50 for aphids (876 mg/ml) followed by thrips (57 mg/ml) and the least for spider mites (4.5 mg/ml), which shows its high toxicity for spider mites. UHPLC-QTOF/MS analysis has confirmed of several standard and new compounds including presence of genistein, rutin, 2-hydroxy-5-methylquinone, limonene, quercetin 3- O -glucoside, myricetin, kaempferol and alpha-pinene. Kaempferol, quercetin and myricetin confirmed high toxicity towards all the three pests tested. PFP is a biodegradable eco-friendly source that has a promising role in the management of spider mites on roses.