EFFICACY OF TYPE AND CONCENTRATION OF BOTANICAL INSECTICIDES (Balanite aegyptiaca, Allium sativum and Capsicum annum) IN THE CONTROL OF FIELD PEST (Megalurothrips sjostedti [Tryborn]) OF COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata [L. Walp])

Abstract

Field experiment was carried out at the teaching and research farm of the School of Agricultural Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Bali, to determine the efficacy of three types of botanical insecticides applied at varying concentrations for the control of field pest (Megalurothrip sjostedti) of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) was adopted on a field measuring 15 m x 25 m, with nine stands of cowpea on each bed of size 2 m x 2 m and a total of 12 beds replicated into three. Extracts from Balanite aegypteaca (desert date), Allium sativum (Garlic) and Capsicum annum (Chilli pepper) fruits were applied at weekly intervals at the onset of flower buds as main treatments, while the varying rates of 50ml/lt, 100ml/lt and 150ml/lt as sub-treatment. Parameters assessed were weight of dried pod, weight of 100 seeds and number of pods per plant. The problematic insect pest (Megalurothrip sjostedti) were also collected and counted at the emergence of flower buds and just before the commencement of each treatment application. Data generated from the experiment were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Means were separated using Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) at p = 0.05 with the help of “R” statistical package. The results showed that garlic extract recorded the highest efficacy at the rate of 100ml/lt for all the parameters assessed. Farmers are therefore, advised to use garlic extract for the control of thrips on cowpea.