Efficacy of botanicals in the control and management of insect pests of cashew (Anacardium occidentale): A Review

Abstract

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is an essential cash crop tree grown in Nigeria and other countries worldwide, providing a livelihood for many people. However, insect pests such as Analeptes trifasciata, Selenothrips rubrocinctus, Pachnoda cordata, Helopeltis spp. (H. anacardii, H. schoutedeni), Plocaederus ferrugineus can cause significant damage to the crop. Several measures have been adopted by farmers, particularly, the use of synthetic insecticides which have harmful effects on both man and the environment. Globally, some researches have been conducted to investigate the efficacy of extracts and essential oils of some botanicals against these pests. The results obtained showed that the plant samples tested were found effective against the insect pests, though some were dose dependent. Therefore, any of the plant samples used in these researches can be explored as biopesticides against the pests. Future research should concentrate on isolation and characterization of active components in these plants samples.