Comparative Efficacy of Aqueous Extract of three Botanicals on Corn Earworm (Heliothis armigera)

Abstract

A field research was conducted at Ikpe Annang, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria between March and June, 2015 to evaluate the efficacy of aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera and Ocimum grattissimum on corn earworm (Heliothis armigera). The experiment was laid out in split plot fitted into randomized complete block design with three replicates. Aqueous extracts of the three botanicals were applied at the rates of 0, 100, 200 and 300 l/ha weekly to study the number of punch holes on leaves and the number of cobs attacked by corn earworm at 4, 6 and 8 weeks after planting (WAP), as well as grain yield. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant means compared using least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability (p<0.05). The results from the study showed that application of A. indica and M. oleifera leaf extracts applied at 300 l/ha recorded fewer punch holes than O. grattissimum leaf extract, at different times after planting. At harvest, the application of neem leaf at 300l/ha recorded lesser number (1.49) of insect pest per cob than scent leaf (2.51) and moringa leaf (1.80) while fewer number of cobs were attacked by the insect pest. At harvest, the highest grain yield of 2.31 t/ha was recorded from maize treated with moringa leaf extract while neem leaf recorded 2.25 t/ha, as against scent leaf with the lowest yield of 1.85t/ha. The incorporation of biopesticides particularly neem and moringa for the management of field pests of maize is hereby advocated.