Efficacy of two selected plant extracts Azadirachta indica and Ageratum conizoides on insect pests of Amaranthus hybridus and Corchorus olitorus L.

Abstract

study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of two selected plants extract (Azadirachta indica and Ageratum conizoides) on insect pests of Amaranthus hybridus and Corchorus olitorus L. The study was carried out at the research plots of the Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan Oyo state. The area lies between latitude 7^o 23^׀N and longitude 3^o 51 ^׀E Plant extracts of both Azadirachta indica and Ageratum conizoides at 50g and 100g dissolved in 100cl of water was applied to the vegetables replicated three times and laid in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The following parameters were measured: insect density, number of insect perforations on the leaves for four weeks and plant weight after the experiment. The significant difference among the treatments was determined using Duncan Multiple Range Test.

The result of the study showed that Ageratum conizoides at 100g with 100cl of water had the best performance while the control had the least performance in terms of insect density, number of insect perforations and plant weight of both vegetables. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in terms of insect density, number of insect perforations and plant weight of both vegetables along the blocks while it showed significant difference (P<0.05) in insect density, number of insect perforations and plant weight of both vegetables between the treatments at 5% level of probability.

It is therefore concluded that goat weed (Ageratum conizoides) extracts at 100g in 100cl of water is a good proportion to be used in controlling the insect pest of Amaranthus hybridus and Corchorus olitorus L.

Keywords: Azadirachta indica, Ageratum conizoides, Amaranthus hybridus and Corchorus olitorus