Control of Insect Pests of Okra (Abemoschus exculentus l.) with Annona squamosa and Azadirachta indica Leave Extracts

Abstract

This research work was conducted to determine the bio-activities of Annona squamosa (Linn) and Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) leave extract on insect pest of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Teaching and Research Farm Ogbomosho Oyo State during major and minor planting of 2019. Plant extracts formulation was done with cold water and filtrates were mixed with camphor, sulphur, black soap and salt. The mixture was stored separately in 5 litter keg for further use. Synthetic insecticide and untreated plots were included in the treatment for comparison. Data were collected on number of the insects, number of fruit yield and fruit yield. All the data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA).The results show that the tested plant extracts effectively controlled Podagrica uniformis and P. sjostedti. However, the efficacy of the tested plant extracts against the observed insects depends on the concentration applied. Also, the result shows that Podagrica sjostedti are more susceptible to the applied plant extract than Podagrica uniformis. In respect to the number of fruit, it was observed that the highest number of fruit was observed on the plants treated with the synthetic insecticide (Dirchlovours). The yield obtained from plants treated with plant extracts at 15% and 25% v/v comparable Dirchlovours treated plants. Therefore, the tested plant extracts can be used in the management of insect pest of okra.