Assessment of yam beetle damage under screen house condition

No Abstract.Nigeria Agricultural Journal Vol. 37 2006: pp. 50-5

Damage by yam beetle heteroligus meles (Coleoptera:Dynastidae) under different population in yam cropping system

No Abstract. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Physics Vol. 14 (1) 2008 pp. 5-

Evaluation of neem seed extract for the control of major field pests of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) under calendar and monitored sprays

Cowpea growers sometimes apply chemicals as many as 8-10 times to control insect pests during the growing season. Calendar sprays at 7 days' intervals (CA.S7) carried out 5 times and 10 days' intervals (CA.S10) carried out 4 times and monitored spray (MOS) carried out only when insect infestation/damage reached or exceeded the action threshold were studied to find out their effect on major insect pests and yield of cowpea - whether there were differences in the number of insect pests and grain yield. The insect pests studied were the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, legume bud thrips Megalurothrips sjostedti Tryb, legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fab. and pod sucking bugs under the application of 5% aqueous extract of neem seed kernel extract (NSKE). The trials were conducted during the early and late planting seasons in Abraka, on a piece of land half a kilometre to Campus 2, Delta State University, Nigeria. The results indicated that calendar sprays significantly controlled A. craccivora colonies compared to control in the early season. Population of other major insect pests was generally low. During the late season, the various NSKE treatments effectively controlled A. craccivora. No significant difference among the treatments in their effect on the other major insect pests. Grain yields were high in both seasons and a significant difference did not exist among the calendar and monitored spray treatments. Three main things are obvious from this study: (1) neem seed kernel extract is effective in the control of cowpea insect pests, especially A. craccivora, (2) Grain yields were similar in calendar and monitor sprays. (3) spraying every 10 days for 4 times and monitoring insect pest damage/infestation before spraying reduced the number of chemical application.Keywords: Cowpea, insect pests, neem extract, calendar and monitored sprays

Genotype X environment effects on cassava response to the african cassava mosaic disease in derived guinea savannah of Nigeria

No Abstract.Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 7 (2) 2008: pp.111-11

Cassava Growth And Development In Two Contrasting Environments Of Ibadan And Jos

Twelve cassava (improved and local) genotypes were grown at two locations in Nigeria (Ibadan and Jos). Leaf area development and dry matter partitioning were studied from 1994 to 1996. Destructive samplings for growth analyses were done at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after planting (MAP). Genotype, environment and genotype x environment effects were significant for leaf area index (LAI), total dry matter and total dry tuberous root weight. At Ibadan, LAI was 3.6 and 2.1 at 6 and 12 MAP, respectively, while at Jos LAI values of 0.5 and 2.0 were recorded at 6 and 12 MAP, respectively, in the 1994/1995 planting season. Dry matter production and total dry tuberous root weight were significantly less at Jos than at Ibadan. This was attributed to the lower temperature regime and reduced solar radiation levels recorded at Jos plateau. Patterns of dry matter partitioning to the leaves, shoots and roots were similar in both locations. Dry matter partitioning to the roots was controlled by plant age and solar radiation while dry matter partitioning to the leaves was a function of plant age and temperature. These results indicate that dry matter partitioning of cassava to the roots and leaves are dependent upon solar radiation and temperature in higher altitudes. The data may be useful for validation of models of cassava growth being designed for higher altitudes. Agro-Science Vol.2(1) 2001: 67-7