Management of Termite (<i>Microtermes adschaggae</i>) on Hot Pepper Using Powdered Leaves and Seeds of Some Plant Species at Bako, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the field efficacy of eleven pesticidal plants against termites on hot pepper at Bako, western Ethiopia during the 2001, 2003 and 2004 cropping seasons. The powdered leaves and seeds of the pesticidal plant species were applied at the rate of 50 g per 12.6 m2 plot size. In all years, plants with the least termite damage were recorded from plots treated with Maesa lanceolata, Azadirachta indica and the
insecticide diazinon 60% EC (2.5 lit ha-1). The highest stand count and yield were also obtained from plots treated with the same plant species and diazinon. Treatment with Shinus molle and Ficus vasta appeared to have the lowest effect on termite damage protection. Consequently, there was low plant population at harvest. The use of
M. lanceolata and A. indica should be promoted as part of an integrated management system of termites on hot pepper, particularly by poor farmers.

Keywords: Azadirachta indica; Maesa lanceolata; Pepper; Termite

East African Journal of Sciences Vol. 2 (1) 2008: pp.41-44