Abstract:
A field study was carried out to assess the efficacy of some botanicals in the control of field
insect pests of Amaranthus hybridus. Dry leaf and bark ash extract of Azadirachta indica served
as treatments which were compared with Lambdacyhalothrin and a control. The experiment was
fitted into a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data collected were
subjected to a two-way analysis of variance and significant different means were separated using
Fishers Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at 5 % level of probability. The results revealed
that treated plants generally performed better than the untreated plants as they were taller, had
more leaves, branches, wider stem girths and gave higher fruit yield. bark ash extract of
Azadirachta indica performed better in most parameters measured. The results indicate that leaf
and bark ash extract of Azadirachta indica if properly harnessed can be used as a biopesticide in
the control of field insect pest of A. hybridus. |
