Evaluation of some botanicals on <i>Clavigralla tomentosicollis</i> (SLAN) attacking cowpea (<i>Vigna unguiculata</i> [L.] Walp) in Samaru Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiment was carried out at Agricultural Engineering Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru Zaria, Nigeria, Latitude 10^o 1436N to compare three different biopesticides, Ginger rhizome (Zingibe officinale), Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica), Garlic bulb (Allium sativa) against Clavigralla tomentosicollis on Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) at flowering stage. The experimental design was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four (4) treatments, Neem leaf, Garlic Bulb, Ginger rhizome and Control (untreated). Neem leaf, Garlic Bulb, and Ginger rhizome were air dried at room temperature of (25^oC), pound into powder form. 15 g of neem leaf, Garlic Bulb, ginger rhizome was soaked into 1 litre of water overnight prior to the application in the field, Muslim cloth was used to squeeze and to prevent foreign particles into the aqueous solution of neem leaves, ginger rhizome and garlic bulb. Insitu assessment was used to count the number of Clavigralla tomentosicollis per plant. Data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means were separated by LSD. The efficacy of neem leaf extract on mean population of Clavigralla tomentosicollis is highly significant as compared to ginger rhizome and Garlic Bulb. Neem leaf extract at 15g act as better alternative than ginger rhizome and garlic bulb on the control of Clavigralla tomentosicollis on cowpea, due to its environmental friendliness and non-hazardous nature to human health