FIELD EVALUATION OF SELECTED LEAF EXTRACTS IN THE CONTROL OF INSECT PESTS OF AMARANTH (AMARANTHUS HYBRIDUS L).
Abstract
Conventional chemical insecticides have environmental and health risks, emphasizing the need for eco-friendly alternatives. The research objectives of this study are to evaluate the insecticidal activity of leaf extracts against common amaranth pests, assess the efficacy of leaf extracts in reducing pest damage and promoting amaranth growth, and identify the most effective leaf extract concentrations for pest control. This study was conducted at Ladoke Akintola University Teaching and Research Farm. Petivera alliacea, Vernonia amygdalina, Chromolena odorata leaf extracts and untreated plants and Synthetic insecticide (Lambdachyalothrin), were included in the treatments for comparisons. The treatment were arranged in a complete randomized block design with 3 replicates. Plant extracts were applied via foliar spray, and regular monitoring of pest populations including amaranth growth. Data were collected on leaf weight, leaf area, percentage defoliated leaves, plant height, insect infestation. It was observed that the selected plant extracts exhibited insecticidal action against the observed insect pests when compared with the level of insect infestation on untreated plants. Chromolena odorata and Petivera alliacea extracts significantly increase the plant height of Amaranth than other treatment. This implies that the two plant extracts acted as growth stimulant. However, the untreated plant has the highest defoliated leaves while the treated plant have the significant number of leaves defoliated meaning that the tested plant extracts significantly suppress insect infestation., However Chromolena odorata had the same weight with the synthetic insecticides (Lambdachyalothrin) followed by Vernonia amygdalina. Meanwhile the tested plant extracts had the same insecticidal potential against Gryallotalpidae gryllotalpa, Nazura viridula, Caeutorhynchus obstrictus, Archips spp. and Dystercus rosaceana meanwhile Vernonia amygdalina had highest insecticidal control of field ants than other plants extracts. Therefore, the selected plant extract can serve as alternative to synthetic insecticide in the control of insect pest and cultivation of leafy vegetables.
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