BIOEFFICACY OF Moringa oleifera AND Anacardium occidentale AGAINST INSECT PESTS OF WATERMELON (Citrullus lanatus Thumb) AND THEIR EFFECTS ON FATTY ACID PROFILE

Abstract

Nigeriaduring the late and early planting seasons of 2011 and 2012 to determine the efficacy of Moringa oleifera (L) and Anacardium occidentale (L) extracts on major insect pests of pests of watermelon and their effects on fatty acid compound of watermelon. This experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design and each treatment was replicated three times. Each of the plant extracts was applied at three different concentrations (5, 10 and 20% v/v). Gas chromatography was used to determine the level of fatty acid composition of the harvested watermelon. The results showed that the applied plant extracts exhibited insecticidal action against Aulocophora africana (Weise) and Dacus cucurbitae(Coquillet), with M. oleifera proved to be more effective than A. occidentale extracts in the control of the observed insects. Although, none of the plant extracts significantly(P >0.05) performed better than synthetic insecticide (Lambdacyhalothrin) against the studied insects during the raining season fruits obtained from extracts treated-plots had higher number of fatty acid compounds than those of the synthetic insecticide treated-plots. Therefore, the use of botanical extracts in the management of insect pests of watermelon improved the fatty acid contents of watermelon fruit.

Impact of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L) and moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam) leaves-based biopesticides on major insect pests and predators associated with white-seed melon (Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin)

“…Our findings revealed the presence of three major pests (A. africa, L. vinula, S. Annulus) and two key predators (C. propinqua and C. sulphurea) associated with crop. Interestingly, our results differed from a previous study by Alao et al (2018) [2] which reported the presence of eight pests at various germination stages of the crop, with only A. africa being common in both studies. This variation in pest species could ~ 29 ~ be attributed to differences in geographical locations and perhaps, planting times, as ecological factors such as environmental suitability and the abundance of competitor consumers or natural enemies can influence pest populations (Okrikata et al, 2019) [20] .…”

“…These plants have exhibited considerable potentials in effectively managing pests, specifically those affecting stored products (Buxton et al, 2017;Babatunde et al, 2021) [7,5] . For instance, laboratory and field studies have demonstrated the efficacy of aqueous moringa extracts in controlling pests of cabbage and watermelon (Alao et al, 2018;Ogbonna et al, 2021) [2,18] . The insecticidal properties of M. oleifera are likely attributed to the presence of various phytochemicals, such as catechol tannins, gallic tannins, steroids, tri-terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones, alkaloids, and reducing sugars.…”

Activity of extracts from selected Tanzanian spices on major fungal pathogens and blight diseases of Tomato

“…Garlic and ginger are utilised for their essential oils against a range of pests and pathogens (Koundal et al, 2018). Neem (Azadirachta indica), moringa (Moringa oleifera) and tephrosia (Tephrosia vogelii) have been reported to have insecticidal properties and used to manage a number of insects attacking different crops with notable success (Alao et al, 2018;Mikami et al, 2018;Seifi et al, 2018). The bioactive compounds in some plants may also have repellence effects without necessarily killing the insects (Babu et al, 2018).…”

“…A section of farmers in Same District were aware of botanical pesticides and had used farm preparations from Azadirachta indica, Tithonia diversifolia, Tephrosia vogelii and Moringa oleifera to manage pests on vegetables and maize. The pesticidal properties and the availability of commercial formulations of these plants has been documented (Alao et al, 2018;Dimetry & El-Behery, 2018;Mikami et al, 2018;Seifi et al, 2018;Ngom et al, 2018).…”