Efficacy Of Plant Derived Insecticides For Control Of Insect Pests Of Garden Egg (Solanum Spp.) In Southeastern Nigeria

摘要

Abstract - Early season field trials were conducted in 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons at the experimental site of National Horticultural Research Institute Okigwe, Imo State to evaluate the efficacies of four plant derived insecticides for control of major insect pests of garden egg. The bio-pesticides include Neem (Azadirachta indica), African black pepper (Piper guineense), (Jatropha curcas), Castor seed oil (Ricinus communis) and cyperforce insecticide 12.5% E.C and control which constituted the six treatments. The experimental design was randomized complete block design with four replications. Results showed observed commonest insects to include Green leaf hopper (Empoasca spp.), Fruit borers (Leucinodes orbanalis), variegated grasshopper (Zonocerus variegatus) and Cutworms (Spodoptera littoralis). All the bio-pesticidal treatments significantly (P < 0.05) reduced insect infestation with low damage and higher fruit yield compared with the control. The African black pepper (Piper guineense) displayed highest degree of efficacy in this regard of all the plant extracts in both seasons (2011 and 2012). This was followed by neem (A. indica), castor seed oil and Jatropha curcas in that order. The bio-pesticides compared favourably with the synthetic insecticide which served as a check and recorded lowest insect infestation and highest fruit yield of 13,666.7kg/ha and 16,083.3kg/ha in 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons respectively. The potential of the plant-derived insecticides in controlling the insect pests of garden egg have been identified and hence could be a good alternative for synthetic insecticide and as well could be utilized for such purpose.