Abstract
Literature on the use of neem extract as biopesticide in the management of field insect pests on cowpea in Nigeria is scanty. The present study evaluated the efficacy of extract of neem seeds at 5 percent concentration for the control of the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, flower bud thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti Tryb, legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fab, and a spectrum of pod sucking bugs (Coreidae bugs) all key field insect pests of cowpea. The experiments were conducted in the early cropping season in two locations – Asaba and Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. At Asaba, the study took place in the Teaching and Research Farm of the Agronomy Department, Asaba Campus and at Abraka on a plot of land situated close to the Agricultural Sciences Department, Delta State University, Abraka. The experiments consisted of two calendar sprays – 7 days’ spray intervals at 5 times and 10 days’ spray intervals at 4 times and monitored spray and a control. There were 4 treatments and 3 replicates, organised into a randomised complete block design (RCBD). The results indicated that more insect pests occurred at Asaba than Abraka plot. The calendared spray treatments significantly (P<0.05) reduced M. sjostedti at Asaba and A. craccivora colonies at Abraka plot compared to control. Grain yield was significantly higher at Abraka (1630.70kg ha -1 ) compared to Asaba (404.90 kg ha -1 ). The neem seed extract at 5 percent concentration in the management of the cowpea insect pest is quite attractive. However, the botanical causes delay in cowpea flowering.
Highlights
A major arable crop cultivated in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world is the leguminous crop cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) (L) Walp) of the family Fabaceae
There were no significant differences in the protected plots and control with regards to flower bud thrips, M. vitrata and pod sucking bugs
For M. vitrata, there was no significant difference in the two locations, Asaba recorded slightly higher population
Summary
A major arable crop cultivated in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world is the leguminous crop cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) (L) Walp) of the family Fabaceae. Man benefits from it in several ways - the grains are cheap source of protein to man (IITA, 1984; Anderson, 1985; Alabi et al, 2003) and in recent times, largely depends on it because of the rising cost of meat, fish and egg. Cowpea is rich in vitamins, minerals and low in fats. In Nigeria, cowpea is grown mainly in the drier Northern zone – the Sudan savannah belt (Rachie, 1985) and bulk of it in terms of world production, comes from this region. Because of the high demand, concerted efforts to maximize production are being put in place and all factors affecting the growth and development of the crop have become serious concern to farmers
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