African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on morphological and physiological growth of cassava and its efficacy in controlling Zonocerus variegatus

Uchenna Mabel Ndubuaku*
  • Uchenna Mabel Ndubuaku*
  • Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Theophilus Chinyere Nkasiobi Ndubuaku
  • Theophilus Chinyere Nkasiobi Ndubuaku
  • Department of Pest Management Technology, College of Agriculture, National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Emmanuel Ike
  • Emmanuel Ike
  • Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Peter Ikemefuna Ezeaku
  • Peter Ikemefuna Ezeaku
  • Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 01 March 2015
  •  Accepted: 13 July 2015
  •  Published: 12 August 2015

Abstract

Zonocerus variegatus infestation has been found to cause a lot of devastation in the production of cassava crop plants in tropical and subtropical areas. Understanding the efficacy of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on controlling Z. variegatus is desired. The present study was conducted in the Department of Crop Science experimental site, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka to investigate the effects of M. oleifera leaf extract (MLE) on the morphological and physiological growth characteristics of cassava (Manihot utilissima Pohl.); and its efficacy as organic insecticide for controlling Z. variegatus infestation. M. oleifera leaf extract diluted in water at the volume to volume (v/v) ratios of 1:10, 1:20, 1:30 and 1:40 were applied weekly while “Uppercut (R)” (30 g dimethoate plus 250 g cypermethrin), used as water emulsifiable concentrate, was applied at the rate of 0.2 a.i./ha at three-weekly interval for two months. Result shows that M. oleifera leaf extract (MLE) dilution at the ratio of 1:30 MLE in water gave the highest percentage stem height difference (%SHD) at 32 weeks after planting with a value of 20.5% followed by 1:20 (17.8%), 1:10 (10.56%), dimethoate plus cypermethrin (8.98%) and 1:40 (8.05%). The control had the least %SHD and %LND. Dimethoate plus cypermethrin treatment was more efficacious as it eradicated the insects and caused significant (p < 0.05) increase in the number of leaves and reduction in the percentage leaf abscission especially from the thirtieth week after planting. However a combined use of Dimethoate plus cypermethrin and M. oleifera leaf extract may give a better result and as such recommended than a single treatment application.

 

Key words: Moringa extract, dimethoate plus cypermethrin insecticide, cassava hybrid, Zonocerus variegatus infestation. 

Abbreviation

MLE, Moringa oleifera leaf extract; RCBD, randomized complete block design; SPSS, statistical package for social sciences; SHD, stem height difference; WAP, weeks after planting; IPM, integrated pest management.

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

Back to Vol. 14 No. 32
Back to articles
SUBSCRIBE TO RSS
SUBMIT MANUSCRIPT
CONFERENCES