ABSTRACT

The emergence of biodegradable pesticides as safe option has reduced the problems that result from the use of synthetic insecticides, thus creating a renewed interest in their development and use in integrated pest management of crops. A randomized complete block field experiment was conducted to evaluate the insecticidal efficacy of selected synthetic insecticides and botanicals for the control of insect pests of okra. The experiment was conducted between 7th June 2017 to August, 18th, 2017 within the premises of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development Umuahia, opposite timber market along Ikot Ekpene express road Umuahia. Seeds of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) were gotten from a local market in Umudike in Umuahia. Freshly harvested leaves of Vernonia amygdalina and Chromolaena odorata, were room dried and grinded into a powdery form. During application, the grinded leaves are soaked in water (2litres of water) for about 12 hours and sieved before application. The wood ash was applied on the plants ecologically (by hand spraying), 10ml of the synthetic chemical was collected using a syringe and was mixed with 2 litres of water before application. The mixture comprising of 2 litres of water, 2grinded pepper, 2g of aerial detergent, 2 tablespoonful of kerosene were also mixed together before application. Results show the presence of phytochemicals in V. Amygdalina such as terpenoids as the highest phytochemical present followed by tannins, steroids, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids and saponins while C. odorata recorded saponins as the highest phytochemical present. This is followed by phenols, tannins, and alkaloids while steroids and terpenoids are close in range. According to the planting and randomized distribution of the insecticidal plants in the plots, block 1 had C. Odorata and V. Amygdalina at a close range occupying plots 1 and 2, respectively. This block showed highest insecticidal activity as evident in the results of the morphological and yield parameters which include number of sprouts, leaves, openings, leaf area, percentage yield as well as fresh and dry weight of the yields. The physico-chemical properties of the soil with BS having the highest percentage which was followed by sand at a close range. Silt clay and pH were recorded. Some minerals also identified in the soil include phosphorus, P, organic carbon, OC and organic matter, OM. Other physic-chemical properties (Cmol/kg) as recorded in fig. 8 are as follows: calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, exchangeable acidity, EA and ECEC. From this work, it was observed that C. odorata and V. Amygdalina possess some phytochemical compounds which are needful and necessary for humans and studies have also shown that some of these phytochemicals are applied by the plants in defence mechanisms and as such having some pesticidal activities of which C. odorata and V. Amygdalina are typical examples. Their ability to wade off okra insects was made manifest in the morphological characteristics and this is likely due to the strong synergistic activity of both plants.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Declaration ii

Certification iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of contents vi

List of table viii

List of figure ix

Abstract x

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION 

1.1 Statement of Problem 1

1.2 Aim and Objectives of the Study 3

1.3 Objectives of the Study 3

1.4 Significance of the Study 4

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 The Okra Plant (Abelmoschus Esculentus (L) Moench 5

2.1.1 The Origin of Okro 6

2.1.2 Cultivation 7

2.1.3 Nutritional Composition of Okra 8

2.2 Insect Pest and Distribution 10

2.2.1 Effect of Insect Pest 12

2.2.2 Life Cycle of the Insect 12

2.2.3 Other Diseases of Okra 13

2.3 Control of Insect Pest of Okra 14

2.3 .1 Cultural Control 14

2.3.2 Chemical Control: 15

2.3.3 Botanical Control 16

CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Study Area 18

3.1.1 Soil Collection / Analysis 18

3.1.2 Phytochemical Analysis 18

3.1.3 Design of Experiment 19

3.1.4 Planting Materials 19

3.1.5 Treatment Application 20

3.1.7 Viability Test 20

3.1.8 Cultural Practices 21

3.1.9 Data Collection 21

3.2 Statistical Analysis 22

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS 23

CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 32

5.1 Discussion 32

5.2 Conclusion 37

5.3 Recommendation 37

References

Appendix