Efficacy of Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) seed powder water extract against Aulacuspis tubercularis newsteed (homoptera: diaspididae) on mango (Mangifera indica l.) In East Wollega, Ethiopia

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a fleshy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera. Among the many tropical fruits, mango has been identified as the most important and considered to be the king of fruits from a socio-cultural, commercial and environmental point of view and grown in over 100 countries including Ethiopia. However, many biotic and abiotic factors limit its production and productivity across the globe. Aulacuspis tubercularis Newsteed (Homoptera: Diaspididae) commonly known as white mango scale is a serious insect pest of mango in Ethiopia. Though A. tubercularis introduced to Ethiopia almost a decade ago, technologies towards its control is almost nil or few which enabled the pest to invade the whole country where mango is grown to the extent of causing 50-100% crop losses. The current study was conducted to know the efficacy of Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) seed powder water extract in the management of A. tubercularis under field condition. Field experiments were conducted at Uke and Arjo Gudetu in western Ethiopia. The treatments were different spray concentrations. (0.05, 0.1 and 0.15mg/ml of water). The treatments were applied 3 times at 10 days interval after complete infestation was observed. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in four replications. Mortality count was done 10 days after 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd treatment applications. The results obtained revealed that water extracts of A. indica seed powder at 0.15 concentration significantly (p<0.05) reduced the population of A. tubercularis at both experimental sites. Crawlers and males were more affected than the females. Hence, the use of A. indica seed water extract can be recommended for the management of A. tubercularis.