Effect of chilli pepper extract in the control of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.) caterpillar infestation in Amaranthus in Maiduguri, Borno State

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture Research Farm, University of Maiduguri in 2015 to investigate the effect of chilli pepper (Capsicum annum L.) fruit extract in the control of diamondback moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella caterpillar infestation in Amaranthus tricolor. Three concentrations (10, 20 and 30%) of chili pepper fruit extract and a control were tested in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The results revealed that chili pepper fruit extract had insecticidal properties against DBM larvae. Plots treated with 10, 20 and 30% of the extract had significantly reduced the number of damaged leaves and the population of DBM larvae. Plots treated with 30% chili pepper fruit extract had the best leaf yield and the lowest population of P. xylostella. About 32.65 – 66.32% number of DBM larvae was reduced as a result of treating the crop with 10, 20 and 30% of chili extract. The highest population of P. xylostella and highest number of damaged leaves occurred in the control plots. This implies that amaranthus farmers have safer alternative with which amaranthus can be protected and its yields improved.