AUTHOR(S)
O. Onunkun

ABSTRACT

The emergence ofbiodegradable pesticides as safe option has reduced the problems that resultfrom the use of synthetic insecticides, thus creating a renewed interest intheir development and use in integrated pest management of crops. The objectiveof this study was to investigate the insecticidal properties of the water extractsof Jatropha curcas, Vernonia amygdalina, Ageratum conyzoides, Chromolaenaodorata (L) and Annona squamosa on two species of flea beetles (Podagricauniforma and P. sjostedti (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae)infesting okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench), variety NHAE 47-4).The leaves and seeds of the plants used in the experiment were collected fromthe locality, washed and shade dried. A synthetic insecticide,lambda-cyhalothrin (karate) was included in the treatments as a standard checkalongside the untreated (control). The experiment was laid out in a randomizedcomplete block design (RCBD) with seven treatments and four replicates. Theefficacy of the treatments was based on reduction in flea beetles and percentagereduction in population of the pests. The results showed that only three of theplant extracts (Jatropha curcas, Vernonia amygdalina and Annona squamosa)significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the population of the two flea beetles at64%, 55% and 49%, respectively. Though the other two botanicals were notsignificant in reducing the population of the pests, they were better than thecontrol. All the plant extracts tested were not as effective as the syntheticinsecticide in reducing flea beetles population. Among the tested plants, J.curcas, was found to be more effective, hence its use by resource poorfarmers is recommended in the protection of okra against the infestation of P.uniforma and P. sjostedti.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.57182/jbiopestic.5.0.62-67

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