PERSEA-INDICA AS A NATURAL SOURCE OF THE INSECTICIDE RYANODOL

Since Persea indica is a natural source of the insecticidal diterpene ryanodol, 20 mature naturally growing trees from two locations were surveyed for their content in this compound, as well as for nitrogen, water and total phenolics. The foliar ryanodol content of the trees did not show seasonal variations and did not correlate with the nitrogen, water or phenolic content. This diterpene did vary however, among the individual trees and was found to accumulate in the stems. The results are discussed in the light of the prospects for using this plant as a source of natural pesticide.