Efficacy of Super neemol® granules for the control of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Walp) insect pests in the forest region of Ghana

2016

English

Pesticide use is increasing and misuse of synthetic insecticides has gained attention in recent times. Consumer concerns and public outcry over food safety reflect this development. Botanical insecticides provide credible alternative if their efficacy are proven. Field experiments were conducted at the Kwadaso station of the Crops Research Institute, Kumasi in the Forest zone of Ghana in 2010 and 2011 to test the efficacy of Super neemol® granules as botanical insecticide against field pests of cowpea. This was compared with Furadan® granules (carbofuran), Karate + Dimethoate and a no insecticide control. The target insect pests were cowpea aphids, flower thrips, maruca pod borer and the pod sucking bugs complex. There was a complete absence of aphids on furadan treated plots. However, furadan did not have a positive effect on incidence and severity on the remaining target pests. Karate+Dimethoate treatment significantly protected the crop from the target insects and resulted in the highest grain yield. Super neemol® at the rates studied did not protect the crop from any of the target insect pests. The claim that Super Neemol® granules could effectively replace furadan as a systemic pesticide cannot be confirmed.

Adama, I.; Braimah, H.; Amoabeng, B. W.