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Main Article Content
Evaluation of the Potentials of Some Organic Materials and Synthetic Chemicals in the Management of Maize Army Worm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) in Umudike, South-East Nigeria
Abstract
In the 2023 cropping season, a field study was conducted at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, to investigate the pesticidal potentials of some organic materials (ash powder, tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum), and pepper (Capsicum frutescence) fruit powder extracts) in the management of maize army worm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and to compare the extracts with a synthetic insecticide (Cypermethrin). The experiment was conducted using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant means separated by Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) at 5% level of probability. The treatments included - Ash, Pepper, Pepper+Ash+ Tobacco, Tobacco, Cypermethrin, and Control. Data obtained included: larva count, %leaf infestation, %cob damage, number of cobs, and yield of maize/ton/ha. Results revealed that the extracts significantly reduced the armyworm infestation and increased crop yield compared with the control without any treatment. On insect count, the lowest mean count was recorded with the extracts and cypermethrin (9.17, 7.00, 5.83, 6.07, and 6.05, respectively) while the control recorded 18.18 counts. A similar trend of reduction was recorded in the infestation, cob damage, and number of cobs. The treated plots also recorded significant yield increase (ash 7.10, PTA 7.50, Tobacco 7.50 (t/ha) and this compares effectively with the chemical, which recorded (7.70t/ha), while the control recorded the lowest (5.80t/ha). Tobacco powder was more effective in all parameters assessed and compared effectively with Cypermethrin. However, the application of pepper powder was phytotoxic, resulting in complete plant mortality, and this indicates that it must be used in combination with other plant extracts or as a liquid extract to minimize the concentration. This research contributes to sustainable pest management strategies, and the findings underscore the significance of adopting the use of botanical extracts in pest management for sustainable crop production.
