African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6860

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of different rates of neem extracts as bio-pesticide for the control of insect vectors and associated viral diseases in okra

Christian Kwasi Akama
  • Christian Kwasi Akama
  • Biotechnology Centre, Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural research Institute (BNARI), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), P. O. Box AE 50, Accra, Ghana.
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Samuel Amiteye
  • Samuel Amiteye
  • Biotechnology Centre, Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural research Institute (BNARI), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), P. O. Box AE 50, Accra, Ghana.
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Andrew Sarkodie Appiah
  • Andrew Sarkodie Appiah
  • Biotechnology Centre, Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural research Institute (BNARI), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), P. O. Box AE 50, Accra, Ghana.
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Prince Buertey Kpentey
  • Prince Buertey Kpentey
  • Biotechnology Centre, Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural research Institute (BNARI), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), P. O. Box AE 50, Accra, Ghana.
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Robert Appiah
  • Robert Appiah
  • Biotechnology Centre, Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural research Institute (BNARI), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), P. O. Box AE 50, Accra, Ghana.
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Jacob Teye Kutufam
  • Jacob Teye Kutufam
  • Biotechnology Centre, Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural research Institute (BNARI), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), P. O. Box AE 50, Accra, Ghana.
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Doris Akua Dzimega
  • Doris Akua Dzimega
  • Biotechnology Centre, Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural research Institute (BNARI), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), P. O. Box AE 50, Accra, Ghana.
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Godwin Amenorpe
  • Godwin Amenorpe
  • Biotechnology Centre, Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural research Institute (BNARI), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), P. O. Box AE 50, Accra, Ghana.
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  •  Received: 25 August 2022
  •  Accepted: 11 October 2022
  •  Published: 30 April 2023

Abstract

Neem extract as bio-pesticide is effective in reducing insect pest populations. However, farmers lack information on the effective application rate. This study ascertained the effective neem extract concentration for reducing insect vector numbers, incidence and severity of the viral diseases. Three rates 20, 30 and 40 ml/L of neem extract, commercial pesticide Akape® and water as control were sprayed as treatments on field grown three okra varieties F1 Sahari, F1 Kirene, and Asuntem. The populations of flea beetle and whiteflies as well as the incidence and severity of Okra mosaic virus (OkMV) and Okra yellow vein mosaic virus (OYVMV) were monitored. 20 ml/L produced significantly (p < 0.05) the lowest flea beetle and whiteflies count. The 20 ml/L rate also caused significantly (p<0.05) the lowest severity of insect pest damage and the least severity of OkMV and OYVMV diseases in all three okra varieties. Importantly, a yield of 207 kg/ha from the okra variety F1 Kirene obtained at the rate 20 ml/L was the highest (p>0.05) compared to the other neem extract concentrations and okra varieties. The cultivation of F1 Kirene could be combined with 20 ml/L neem extract to obtain effective disease and pests control for good yield.

Key words: Chemical control, flea beetle, pests and diseases, plant protection, whitefly, yield loss.

Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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