Bio-efficacy of mint leaf extract (<i>Mentha pepirita</i>) for the protection of field insect pest of soya bean (<i>Glycine max</i> (L.) <i>merr</i>) in Federal College of Forestry Jos

Abstract

Mint leaf extract has been shown to have insecticidal and antifungal properties that make it a promising natural alternative to synthetic pesticides for soyabean crops, there is limited research on its effects on the growth and yield of soyabean plants. This research work was conducted at the Federal College of Forestry, Jos student demonstration farm to determine the Bio-efficacy of mint leaf extract for the protection of insect pest of soyabean. A Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) comprising of four (4) treatment combinations (control, mint extract plus water, mint extract plus acetate, synthetic Cypermethrine) replicated four (4) times was used. Data were collected on plant height, leaf count, 100 seeds weight, and yield. The data was analyzed using ANOVA with Mini-Tab statistical package where significance was declared Turkey's method was used to separate the means. The result from the data collected shows that no significant difference of mint leaf extract was recorded on the plant height, and leaf count. However, significant difference was declared on the yield characters with T3 having the highest number of 100 seeds weight (26.17g), and yield recording (623.62 kg/ha). It can be concluded that mint leaf extract + acetate application produced the highest yield in soyabean and therefore be recommended to farmers for the protection of insect pest and optimum yield of the crop.