Abstract

Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) is the most important destructive pest of sorghum in Africa which results in complete crop loss. Currently the management strategies rely heavily on chemical insecticides, which do not provide effective control. The uses of bio-pesticides are encouraging over chemical pesticides. The study was carried out to identify effective plant and animal products and optimum concentrations against C. partellus. 7 treatments each at 3 concentrations (2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 g and 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 ml) were applied on 2nd and/or 3rd instars larvae. The untreated check was used for comparison. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with 3 replications for each concentration. Result revealed among the treatments Milletia ferruginea Hochst seed powder and aqua extract caused the highest (100%) mortality at 3 g and 2.0 ml concentration on the 2nd day. Cow urine and the mixture (M. ferruginea+cow urine) were recorded higher efficacy mean mortality (86.7 and 93.3%) at 3.0 ml concentration within 3 days respectively. Phytolacca dodecandra L. seed powder, aqua extract and the mixture (P. dodecandra+cow urine) showed significantly lower efficacy mean mortality. In conclusion, M. ferruginea powder and aqua extract, cow urine and combination of M. ferruginea with cow urine were identified as good alternatives to chemical pesticides against C. partellus.

Key words: Chilo partellus, cow urine, Milletia ferruginea, Phytolacca dodecandra, sorghum.