POTENTIALS OF WHOLE PLANT EXTRACTS OF GIRDLEPOD (Mitracarpus scaber ZUCC.) AND MIXTURE WITH NEEM SEED OIL IN THE MANAGEMENT OF TWO KEY FIELD INSECT PESTS OF COWPEA [Vigna unguiculata L. (Walp.)] IN KANO

Abstract

 A research was conducted at the Research Farm of the Center for Dry Land Agriculture (CDA) Bayero, University Kano during the 2019 rainy season. The research was conducted to evaluate the potential of mitracarpus scaber alone and in mixture with neem seed oil in the management of Cowpea insect pest complex. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. the extracts were applied at three different spraying regimes (1) three sprays (2) five sprays  and (3) seven sprays, Imi force and untreated plots served as check and control respectively. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Genstat Discovery Edition statistical package while significant treatment means were separated using least significant differences at 5% level of probability. The result indicated   that extract from M+NSO at 7 sprays having high potency which demonstrated a significant control on A. craccivora.  For the Pod sucking bug population at 7 sprays M+NSO recorded the lowest PSB population. While pod sucking bug damage, number of seed per pod, M+NSO at 7 sprays and MA at 7 sprays had the same result with highest number of seed per pod among the spraying regimes was recorded, but for the wrinkle seed per pod MA at 2 sprays had the lowest wrinkle seed per pod among the extracts.  While pod density was observed that at 7 sprays of M+NSO has the highest pod density among the extracts. MA and M+NSO at 7 sprays recorded highest number of pod per plant. M+NSO at 7 sprays recorded the highest yield. The study shows M+NSO at 7 sprays have insecticide potential that can be used for effective management and control of major cowpea insect pest.