TOXICITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF NEEM (AZADIRACHTA INDICA A. JUSS) SEEDS ON GIANT POD SUCKING BUG (ANOPLOCNEMISCURVIPES) OF COWPEA (VIGNAUNGUICULATA(L.) WALP).
Abstract
Author(s): Kiran Singh
Cowpea (Vignaunguiculata) is the major source of protein supplement in Nigerian diet, which is attacked by many insects pests in farm and storage conditions. Studies were carried out to determine the efficacy of water extract of neem (Azadirachtaindica A. juss) kernel against Anoplocnemiscurvipesadults and nymphs. Neem kernel extract at 5%, 10% and 15% w/v were evaluated using 0% as control under field conditions. The extracts were sprayed once weekly for three (3) weeks. The extract reduced the population of insects in both nymphs and adults stages. 10% and 15% of extract were found more effective than the 5% for both the stages of insect. Toxicity of neem kernel was time and dose dependent on tested insects.Nymphs of A. curvipes were more susceptible than the adults. After third spray of 10% and 15% of neem extract showed 100% reduction in nymph population of A. curvipes, while same spray caused 66.67% reduction in adult population of A. curvipes.
