Abstract An experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture University of Maiduguri in 2016 to evaluate variety and botanical insecticide for the control of insect pests of amaranthus. Three amaranthus varieties {Amaranthus cruentus (white seeded), Amaranthus hybridus (red seeded) and Amaranthus hybridus (black seeded)} as main plot treatment and two botanical insecticides (Balanite leaf extract and Chilli pepper fruits extract) as subplot treatment. Seeds were sown by drilling in four strips 30 cm aparts in 4m2 plots. Application of insecticide started at 14 days after sowing and continued at weekly interval. Data were collected on the number of larvae per plot twice weekly. The percentage damaged and undamaged plants were determined at harvest. The results revealed that the three Amaranthus varieties were not significantly different in terms of their shoot yield and response to larval damage. Similarly, the botanical insecticides tested were effective against the insect pests of Amaranthus. The three varieties of Amaranthus are therefore recommended to farmers in the area for good leaf yield. The insecticides; balanite leaf extract and chilli pepper fruit extract are also recommended as an alternative to the synthetic insecticides.

Keywords: Amaranthus, botanicals, balanite, chilli pepper, insect pests, pest management, vegetable