Sustainable management of insect pests of green cabbage, Brassica oleraceae var. capitata L.(Brassicaceae), using homemade extracts from garlic and hot pepper.

English

Green cabbage, Brassica oleraceae var. capitata L., is an important leafy vegetable in Ghana. However, attack by insect pests is among the key factors contributing to its poor yield. An experiment was undertaken at the Kwadaso Agricultural Research field in Ghana during the major season of 2010 to explore the use of homemade extracts from garlic, Allium sativum L. and hot pepper, Capsicum frutescens L. in the management of insect pests of cabbage. Emamectin benzoate (ATTACK®) and Lambda cyhalothrin (BOSSMATE®2.5EC) were used as reference insecticides. There were ten treatments made up of three levels of garlic (1, 2, 3) and pepper (1, 2, 3), garlic+pepper, ATTACK®, BOSSMATE® and control (water only). Generally, the efficacy of garlic and pepper was comparable to that of ATTACK® and BOSSMATE®. The highest percentage reduction in Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) infestation occurred on plots sprayed with pepper 1 and 2. Pepper 2 had the highest reduction in the population of Plutella xylostella L., followed by pepper 3, BOSSMATE® and pepper 1. The application of BOSSMATE® resulted in the highest reduction in the population of spiders and Cheilomenes sp. ATTACK®, pepper 2 and garlic 1 had the highest yields. These preliminary results have demonstrated the potential of low doses of garlic and hot pepper in the management of insect pests of cabbage and thereby conserving their natural enemies.

Fening, K. O.; Owusu-Akyaw, M.; Mochiah, M. B.; Amoabeng, B. W.; Narveh, E.; Ekyem, S. O.