Impact of weeding frequency in controlling flea beetles (Podagrica spp.) and yield of three varieties of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) in Gombe State, Nigeria

Field studies were carried out at School of Agricultural Technology Teaching and Research Farm of Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin Kowa, Gombe State, Nigeria during 2014 and 2015 cropping seasons to assess the impact of weeding frequencies in controlling flea beetles (Podagrica spp.) using three varieties of Okra. Three varieties of Okra  (NGAE-96-1; NHAE-47-4 and Challawa) and four  weeding frequencies (no weeding, one weeding at 3 WAS, two weedings at 3 and 6 WAS and three weedings at 3, 6 and 9 WAS) were assessed using split plot laid out in randomized complete block design replicated three times. Results showed that the flea beetle (Podagrica spp.) populations, leaves and fruit damaged weight were significantly (P≤0.05) reduced while okra plant height and fruit yield were improved on plots that were weeded three times compared to other weeding frequencies. The result further showed that NGAE-96-1 and NHAE-47-4 reduced flea beetle (Podagrica spp.) populations, leaves and fruit damage than challawa. The results indicated that flea beetle control could be effectively achieved and okra production improved through the manipulation of weeding frequencies and selecting the appropriate okra varieties in the study area

Control of Pod-sucking bug Riptortus dentipes (Hemiptera: Alydidae) of Cowpea with aqueous Plant Extracts and Cymbush Super EC in Maiduguri, Nigeria

The cylindrical pod-sucking bug (Riptortus dentipes F.) is one of the dominant species of sap-sucking post-flowering insect pests (PFPs) in the Nigerian Savanna zone causing high yield losses by causing seed deformation, premature pod drying, seed abortion and pod shriveling.  The present study assess the effects of neem seed oil (NSO), bitter melon (Momordica balsamina) and garlic (Allium sp) aqueous extracts and cymbush super EC for the control of this insect pest of cowpea in the Nigerian savanna zone.  Field trials were carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria in 2010 and 2011 wet seasons.  Five treatments were each replicated four times in a randomized complete block design.  Neem seed oil and garlic extracts significantly reduced the population of Riptortus dentipes on cowpea pods than bitter melon during the two wet seasons.  Neem seed oil and garlic produced significantly higher undamaged pods, higher pod weights and higher grain weight in both years than bitter melon treated plots.  Cymbush super (a combination of cypermethrin 30g + dimethoote 250g) insecticide produced the highest and best undamaged pods pod weights and grain yield in both seasons. Keywords: Plant extracts, Riptortus, dentipes, cymbush super EC, threshed, unthreshed, Savanna zon

EVALUATION OF BIO-NIMBECIDINE BOTANICAL POWDER IN THE CONTROL OF Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (COLEOPTERA: BRUCHIDAE) INFESTATION IN STORED GRAIN LEGUMES

The effect of Bio-nimbecidine botanical powder on Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) infestation was investigated in the laboratory at (30 - 35oC and 55 - 65% Relative Humidity) on two cowpea varieties (Borno white and Gwalam) and bambara groundnut. Ten gram grains of the two cowpea varieties and bambara groundnut were treated with three different dosages, 0.04 g, 0.06 g and 0.08 g of Bio-nimbecidine botanical powder. Each treatment had three replicates and a control (check) which were then infested with three pairs of 1 - 3 days old C. maculatus. Data on the number of eggs laid, number of adult first filial generation and severity of damage were collected. All data collected were subjected to two way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The mean number of eggs laid, adult bruchid emerged and severity of grain damage was significantly (P < 0.05) lower on all pulses treated with Bio-nimbecidine botanical powder than untreated grains. Amongst the treated grain legumes, mean values of the above three parameters assessed were all lower at higher doses of Bio-nimbecidine botanical powder (0.06 g and 0.08 g). The results indicated that higher dosages of Bio-nimbecidine botanical powder were highly effective against C. maculatus infestation and damage. It had significantly reduced the number of eggs laid, adult emergence and severity of damage by the cowpea bruchid, as lower infestation and damage were recorded on the pulse grains. Key words: Bio-nimbecidine botanical powder, grain legumes, Callosobruchus maculatus, evaluation, control, infestatio

EFFECT OF INTERCROPPING ON THE INFESTATION OF EGG PLANT FRUIT BORER [Daraba laisalis Wlk] IN NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA OF NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Field experiment was conducted at Biu, Borno State, Nigeria during 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of intercropping on the infestation and damage of egg plant fruit borer (Daraba laisalis Wlk). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three intercrops and one sole crop treatments replicated four times. The results obtained from the study showed that the population of egg plant fruit borer was reported minimum in the condition when egg plants were intercropped with cereal crops and the maximum population was reported from the sole crop of egg plant. Similarly types of trends were reported in the case of fruit damage and final yield. It is therefore concluded that poor-resource egg plant farmers can adopt the practice of intercropping with cereal crops to reduce or manage the population of egg plant fruit borer