IMPACT OF SYNTHETIC AND/OR BIOPESTICIDE FORMULATIONS ON DOMINANT PESTS AND PRODUCTIVITY OF WATERMELON
Abstract
Impact of a biopesticide formulation, Neem, Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae) plus Garlic, Allium sativum L. (Amaryllidaceae) Oil Emulsion – NGOE in watermelon production was investigated in early- and late-season field trials of 2020. Data collected include densities of leaf beetle species [Aulacophora africana (Weise), Asbecesta nigripennis (Weise), Asbecesta transversa (Allard), Monolepta nigeriae (Bryant) – Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae, and Epilachna chrysomelina (Fabricius) – Coleoptera : Coccinellidae], and melon fruit fly [Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) - Diptera: Tephritidae] using a modified Grizzly 2500/8 leaf blower-vac. Data were subjected to variance analysis after appropriate transformation. Results showed that, overall, the most efficient treatment was either 0.125% Magicforce® - Lambda-cyhalothrin 15g/L + Dimethoate 300 g/L (MF) + 5% NGOE or 0.25% MF in terms of pest suppression across seasons. Similarly, assessment of change in population densities revealed that either 0.25% MF or 0.125% MF + 5% NGOE was the most suppressive of the the pest species across seasons. Same trend was observed with respect to leaf injury, growth parameters and fruit damage. Plots treated with 0.125% MF + 5% NGOE consistently produced the highest number of fruits (18615.06±457.00 and 16404.02±1526.25 in the early- and late-season crop), followed by those treated with 0.25% MF (values : 17165.16±488.17 and 15708.50±1411.93). The study underscored the effectiveness of Magicforce® in suppressing watermelon pest (leaf beetles and the melon fruit fly) and improving yield, and also highlighted the potential of neem plus garlic oils formulation in suppressing pests of watermelon and their compatibility.
References
Abderrahmane, K. and Lahcen, E.W. (2015). Insecticide effect of plant extracts on aphids of watermelon. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare, 5(3): 173 – 179.
Agere, H, Okrikata, E., Malu, S.P. and Olusesan, A. I. (2021). Modification of leaf blower-vac (Grizzly ELS 2500/8) for sampling arthropods in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) field. Suan Sunandha Science and Technology Journal, 8(1): 27 – 34. doi.org/10.14456/ssstj.2021.5
Akan, J.C., Mahmud, M.M., Waziri, M. and Mohammed Z. (2015). Residues of organochlorine pesticides in watermelon and soil samples from Gashua, Bade LGA, Yobe State, Nigeria. Advances in Analytical Chemistry, 5(3): 61 – 68. doi.org/10.5923/j.aac.20150503.03
Amoabeng, W.B., Gurr, M.G., Gitau, W.C. and Stevenson, C.P. (2014). Cost:beneift analysis of botanical insecticide use in cabbage: Implications from smallholder farmers in developing countries. Crop Protection, 57: 71 – 76.
Anis, J.R., Premila, K.S., Nisha, V.G., Rajendran, S. and Sarika M.S. (2010). Safety of neem products to tetragnathid spiders in rice ecosystem. Journal of Biopesticides, 3(1): 88-89.
Anuradha A. and Annadurai, R.S. (2008). Biochemical and molecular evidence of azadirachtin binding to insect actins. Current Science, 95(11): 1588–1593.
Aziza, S. and Asma, E. (2015). Evaluation of some plant essential oils against the black cutworm Agrotis ipsilon. Global Journal of Advance Research, 2(4): 701-711
Aziz, M.A., Ahmad, M., Nasir M.F. (2013). Efficacy of different neem (Azadirachta indica) products in comparison with imidacloprid against english grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) on wheat. International Journal of Agricultural Biology, 15(2): 279-284.
Barma, P., Jha, S. and Banerjee, S. (2013). Prediction of population development of melon fruit-fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae Coq.) on pionted gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.). African Journal of Agricultural Research, 8(38): 4740 – 4747. doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2013.7423
Bushra, S., Tariq, M., Naeem, M. and Ashfav, M. (2014). Efficacy of neem oil and tumeric powder against Sitobion avenae and Rhopalosiphum padi. International Journal of Biosciences, 5(12): 439 – 448. doi.org/10.12692/ijb/5.12.439-448
Campos, E.V.R., de Oliveira, J.L., Pascoli, M., de Lima, R. and Fraceto, L.F. (2016). Neem oil and crop protection: From now to the future. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7: 1494. doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.01494
Dougoud, J., Toepfer, S., Bateman, M., Jenner, W.H. (2019). Efficacy of homemade botanical insecticides based on traditional knowledge: A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 39: 37-58. doi.org/10.1007/s13593-019-0583-1
Foster, R.E. (2016). Managing striped cucumber beetle populations on cantaloupe and watermelon. Purdue E-Pubs. E-95-W, pp. 1–4.
Foster, R.E., and G.E. Brust. (1995). Effects of insecticides applied to control cucumber beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on watermelon yields. Crop Protection, 14: 619–624.
Henderson, C.F. and Tilton, E.W. (1955). Tests with acaricides against the brown wheat mite. Journal of Economic Entomology, 48(2): 157–161. doi.org/10.1093/JEE/48.2.157
Koch, H.P. and Lawson, L.D. (1996). Garlic, the science and therapeutic application of Allium sativum and related species (2nd Ed.). Williams and Wilkerns
Lee, C.Y., Lo, K.C. and Yao, M.C. (2006). Effects of household soap solutions on the mortality of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). Formosan Entomology, 26: 379- 390
Lima, C.H.O., Sarmento, R.A., Rosado, J.F., Silveira, M.C.A.C., Santos, G.R., Pedro Neto, M., Erasmo, E.A. L., Nascimento, I.R. and Picanço, M.C. (2014). Efficiency and economic feasibility of pest control systems in watermelon cropping. Journal of Economic Entomology, 107(3): 1118 – 1126. doi.org/10.1603/ec13512
Mahmud, M.M., Akan J.C., Mohammed, Z. and Battah, N. (2015). Assessment of organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticide residues in watermelon and soil samples from Gashua, Bade LGA, Yobe State, Nigeria. Journal of Environment, Pollution and Human Health, 3(3): 52 – 61. doi.org/10.12691/JEPHH-3-3-1
Mkindi, A., Mpumi, N., Tembo, Y., Stevenson, P. C., Ndakidemi, P. A., Mtei, K., Machunda, R. and Belmain, S. R. (2017). Invasive weeds with pesticidal properties as potential new crops. Industrial Crop Production, 110:113. doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.06.002
Okrikata, E. and Anaso, C. (2008). Influence of some inert diluents of neem kernel powder on protection of sorghum against pink stalk borer (Sesamia calamistis, Homps.) in Nigerian Sudan Savanna. Journal of Plant Protection Research, 48(2): 161 – 168. doi.org/10.2478/v10045-008-0019-4
Okrikata, E., Ogunwolu, E.O. and Ukwela, M.U. (2019). Efficiency and economic viability of neem seed oil emulsion and cyper-diforce® insecticides in watermelon production within the Nigerian Southern Guinea Savanna Zone. Journal of Crop Protection, 8(1): 81 – 101. doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.20031.36001
Okrikata, E., Ogunwolu, E.O. and Odiaka, N.I. (2020). Effect of cyper-diforce® application and variety on major insect pests of watermelon in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences, 13(1): 107 – 115.
Okrikata, E., Ogunwolu. E.O. and Odiaka, N.I. (2021). Modelling of the impact of key insect pests of watermelon on its performance using linear regression models. Walailak Journal of Science and Technology, 18(7): 9052. doi.org/10.48048/wjst.2021.9052
Omoyajowo, K., Njok, K., Amiolemen, S., Ogidan, J., Adenekan, O., Olaniyan K., Akande, J. and Idowu, I. (2018). Assessment of pesticide residue levels in common fruits consumed in Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal of Research and Reviews in Science, 1: 56 – 62
Plata-Rueda, A., Martínez, L.C., Santos, M.H.D., Fernandes, F.L., Wilcken, C.F., Soares, M.A., Serrão, J.E., Zanuncio, J.C. (2017). Insecticidal activity of garlic essential oil and their constituents against the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Scientific Reports, 7: 1 – 11. doi.org/10.1038/srep46406
Prowse, M.G., Galloway, T.S. and Foggo, A. (2006). Insecticidal activity of garlic juice in two dipteran pests. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 8: 1–6, doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-9555.2006.00273.x
Reetu, V. and Tomar, M. (2017). Watermelon: A valuable horticultural crop with nutritional benefits. Popular Kheti, 5(2): 5 – 9.
Saleem, M.S., Batool, T.S., Akbar, M.F., Raza, S. and Shahzad, S. (2019). Efficiency of botanical pesticides against some pests infesting hydroponic cucumber, cultivated under greenhouse conditions. Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control, 29: 1- 7. doi.org/10.1186/s41938-019-0138-4
Štefanidesová, K., Škultéty, Ľ., Sparagano, O.A.E., Špitalská, E. (2017). The repellent efficacy of eleven essential oils against adult Dermacentor reticulatus ticks. Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases, 8(5): 780-786. doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.06.003.
Stevenson, P.C., Isman, M.B., Belmain, S.R. (2017). Pesticidal plants in Africa: a global vision of new biological control products from local uses. Industrial Crops and Products, 110: 2-9. doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.08.034
Ukeh, D.A., Emosairue, S.O., Udo, I.A. and Ofem, U.A. (2007). Field evaluation of neem products for the management of lepidopterous stem borers of maize in Calabar, Nigeria. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 296: 653-658.
Witt, J.M. (2012). PSEP fact sheets: adjuvants. Cornell University Cooperative Extension.http://psep.cce.cornell.edu/facts-slides-self/facts/gen-peapp-adjuvants.aspx. Accessed 25 March, 2021
Xavier, V.M., Message, D., Picanço, M.C., Chediak, M., Júnior, P.A.S., Ramos, R.S. and Martins, J.C. (2015). Acute toxicity and sublethal effects of botanical insecticides to honey bees. Journal of Insect Science, 15(1):137. doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iev110
