ABSTRACT
The emergence of biodegradable pesticides as safe option has reduced the problems that result from the use of synthetic insecticides, thus creating a renewed interest in their development and use in integrated pest management of crops. A randomized complete block field experiment was conducted to evaluate the insecticidal efficacy of selected synthetic insecticides and botanicals for the control of insect pests of okra. The experiment was conducted between 7th June 2017 to August, 18th, 2017 within the premises of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development Umuahia, opposite timber market along Ikot Ekpene express road Umuahia. Seeds of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) were gotten from a local market in Umudike in Umuahia. Freshly harvested leaves of Vernonia amygdalina and Chromolaena odorata, were room dried and grinded into a powdery form. During application, the grinded leaves are soaked in water (2litres of water) for about 12 hours and sieved before application. The wood ash was applied on the plants ecologically (by hand spraying), 10ml of the synthetic chemical was collected using a syringe and was mixed with 2 litres of water before application. The mixture comprising of 2 litres of water, 2grinded pepper, 2g of aerial detergent, 2 tablespoonful of kerosene were also mixed together before application. Results show the presence of phytochemicals in V. Amygdalina such as terpenoids as the highest phytochemical present followed by tannins, steroids, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids and saponins while C. odorata recorded saponins as the highest phytochemical present. This is followed by phenols, tannins, and alkaloids while steroids and terpenoids are close in range. According to the planting and randomized distribution of the insecticidal plants in the plots, block 1 had C. Odorata and V. Amygdalina at a close range occupying plots 1 and 2, respectively. This block showed highest insecticidal activity as evident in the results of the morphological and yield parameters which include number of sprouts, leaves, openings, leaf area, percentage yield as well as fresh and dry weight of the yields. The physico-chemical properties of the soil with BS having the highest percentage which was followed by sand at a close range. Silt clay and pH were recorded. Some minerals also identified in the soil include phosphorus, P, organic carbon, OC and organic matter, OM. Other physic-chemical properties (Cmol/kg) as recorded in fig. 8 are as follows: calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, exchangeable acidity, EA and ECEC. From this work, it was observed that C. odorata and V. Amygdalina possess some phytochemical compounds which are needful and necessary for humans and studies have also shown that some of these phytochemicals are applied by the plants in defence mechanisms and as such having some pesticidal activities of which C. odorata and V. Amygdalina are typical examples. Their ability to wade off okra insects was made manifest in the morphological characteristics and this is likely due to the strong synergistic activity of both plants.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Title
page i
Declaration
ii
Certification iii
Dedication
iv
Acknowledgement
v
Table
of contents vi
List
of table viii
List
of figure ix
Abstract
x
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Statement
of Problem 1
1.2 Aim
and Objectives of the Study 3
1.3 Objectives
of the Study 3
1.4 Significance
of the Study 4
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE
REVIEW
2.1 The
Okra Plant (Abelmoschus Esculentus (L) Moench 5
2.1.1 The
Origin of Okro 6
2.1.2 Cultivation 7
2.1.3 Nutritional
Composition of Okra 8
2.2 Insect
Pest and Distribution 10
2.2.1 Effect
of Insect Pest 12
2.2.2 Life
Cycle of the Insect 12
2.2.3 Other
Diseases of Okra 13
2.3 Control
of Insect Pest of Okra 14
2.3 .1 Cultural
Control 14
2.3.2 Chemical
Control: 15
2.3.3 Botanical
Control 16
CHAPTER THREE
MATERIALS
AND METHODS
3.1 Study
Area 18
3.1.1 Soil
Collection / Analysis 18
3.1.2 Phytochemical
Analysis 18
3.1.3 Design
of Experiment 19
3.1.4 Planting
Materials 19
3.1.5 Treatment
Application 20
3.1.7 Viability Test 20
3.1.8 Cultural
Practices 21
3.1.9 Data Collection 21
3.2 Statistical
Analysis 22
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS 23
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION,
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 32
5.1 Discussion 32
5.2 Conclusion 37
5.3 Recommendation 37
References
Appendix
LIST OF TABLE
Table 1.0 Phytochemical Properties of the Plant 31
LIST OF FIGURES
Fig.
1: Effect of Treatment on Number of
Openings 23
Fig.
2: Effect of Treatment on Number of
Leaves 24
Fig.
3: Effect of Treatment on Number of
Sprouts 25
Fig.
4: Effect of Treatment on Percentage
Yield 26
Fig.
5: Effect of Treatment on Leaf Area 27
Fig.
6: Effect of Treatment on Fresh Weights 28
Fig.
7: Physico-Chemical Properties of Soil 29
Fig.
8: Physico-Chemical Properties of Soil 30
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Okra
(Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench), is an important vegetable crop belonging
to the family Malvaceae. Okra originated from Ethiopia and is now widely spread
all over the tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions of the world,
(Lamont, 1999). The world production of okra as fresh vegetable is estimated at
1.7 million tons year- 1 (Schippers, 2000). Okra is the most important
vegetable crop in West Africa, and a source of calories (4550 kcal kg- 1) for
human consumption which ranks first before other vegetable crops (Babatunde et. al., 2007). The nutritive value of
okra includes water, protein, fat, carbohydrate, fibre, calcium, iron,
thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinamide and ascorbic acid (Gemede, et al., 2015). Its production is a
source of income for rural smallholder farmers and retailers in urban centres.
In Ghana, yield potential of 2-3t/ha has been reported (Owusu-sekyere et al., 2011), depending on the
cultivar, harvesting frequency and period for harvesting (Gorachand et al., 1990). However, actual yields of
okra are usually low and have also decreased over the years in Nigeria due to
insect attacks which are major contributing factors to the low yield of okra.
The
most important insect pests attacking okra are the leaf hopper (Amrasca biguttula), flea beetles (Podagrica
spp.) the cotton stainer (Dysdercus superstitious) and whitefly
(Bemisia tabaci Gen.) (Singh et al., 2013). There are several viruses
affecting growth and yield of okra but okra mosaic virus (OMV) and okra leaf
curl virus (OLCV) are the most common viruses. (Swanson et
al., 1993). Okra leaf curl virus, a persistent geminivirus transmitted by
whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gen.), causes severe disease of okra
which cause yield losses of up to 80% (Basu, 1995). Okra leaf curl disease has
been reported in several countries including Ghana and Nigeria (Bi-Kusi, 2013
and Askira, 2012). The disease causes leaf wrinkle, curl, vein distortion, leaf
yellowing, stunted growth and reduced yields
Effective
management of the okra leave curl disease and its associated whitefly vector is
critical in maximizing okra yield. Managing viral diseases and their vectors
using chemical pesticides has not been effective due to the development of
resistant pest strains, and inappropriate application rate and frequency. The
use of synthetic pesticides is hazardous to human health and the environment. (Weeraseker,
2006) reported that exposure to chemical pesticides can cause nervous system
damage, birth defects, cancer, and even death. The World Health Organization
(WHO) has estimated that about 20,000 people die each year from pesticide
poisoning and at least 3 million people suffer acute health effects (WHO, 2004).Botanical
pesticides which are non-toxic to man are environmentally friendly can be used as
alternatives to the synthetic pesticides.
Plant
extracts which have shown various degrees of toxicity against many insect pests
include wood ash, Vernonia amygdalina
and Chromolaena
odarata (Oladimeji and Kannike, 2010). There is however, limited
information on the use of botanicals to manage pests and diseases of okra. It
is therefore quite relevant to evaluate the efficacy of different botanicals
for the management of field insect pests of okra.
1.1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The
problems of pests and diseases which hinder the quality and optimum yield of
okra; farmers have resorted to the use of pesticides as means of controlling the
pests and their damaging effects. This in turn increases the yield of the crop
and enhances the overall productivity.
Various pesticides of both organic and synthetic origin have been widely used
by the farmers. But, the synthetic pesticides are known to have caused more
damage to the environment due to residual effects that are persistent and leads
to adverse effect on non-target organisms and the environment.
Therefore,
there is the need for research into the use of organic pesticides like Vernonia amygdalina ,Chromolaena odorata , and wood ash extracts, which are
more environmental friendly, less toxic
to human and also readily available and
cheap.
1.2 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STU.DY
Plants are composed of chemical substances of which some are directly
beneficial to the growth and development of the organism. Some of these
secondary compounds have usually been regarded as a part of the plants' defense
against plant-feeding insects and other herbivores (Russell and Lana, 1993).
The pesticide properties of many plants have been known for a long time and
natural pesticides based on plant extracts such as rotenone, nicotine and
pyrethrum have been commonly used in pest control during the earlier half of
this century. However, after the Second World War, they lost their importance
with the introduction of the synthetic organic chemicals.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1. To
determine the effects of plant extract and wood ash on the incidence and damage
of insect pests on growth and yield of okra.
2.
To determine the most
effective and efficient strategy for managing the insect
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This
study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of Vernonia amygdalina and Chromolaena odorata, and wood ash on the
control of insect pest of okro plant (Abelmoschus
esculentus).
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