Investigation on production constraints and adoption of inorganic insecticides and spraying regime in management of cowpea (Vigna uncuiculata L. Walp) insects in Mubi zone, Nigeria

Abstract

Between 2008 and 2009, constraints in cowpea cultivation and adoption of inorganic insecticides in insect pest management were investigated among cowpea producers in Mubi zone of Adamawa State. Structured questionnaires were used to source for information from 611 respondents, who were randomly selected. The Chi-square test, Likert scale test and logistic regression method were used to analyze the data set. Preference was high for using inorganic insecticides, spraying time and regime and seed treatment. Production constrains in the study area were insect pests attack and diseases and high cost of inorganic insecticides. The use of insecticides (100%) and practice of spraying regime (99%) were high. High adoption rate as found for use of inorganic insecticides and spraying regime were traceable to awareness that non use of insecticides at the appropriate time will account for low seed yield and crop failure. Adoption of inorganic insecticides was related to age (β = 0.09, P<0.01), educational attainment (β = 0.98, P<0.05), membership of socio-cultural organization (β = 1.27, P<0.01), land preparation methods (β =-1.40, P<0.001) and consideration for the dealers during purchase of inorganic insecticides (β = 0.92, P<0.001). Similarly, adoption was high for practice of spraying regime for inorganic insecticides. Misuse of inorganic insecticides was prevalent among farmers in Mubi zone. The study recommends introduction and promotion of resistant varieties biopesticides and other environmentally safe and less injurious insect pests' management techniques.

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“…Frequency of pesticide application generally affected the reduction of insect infestations and led to increases in cowpea yield. The present results are consistent with those of Ezeaku, et al [9], Dzemo, et al [39] , Elizabeth, et al [40] who reported that the efficient use of insecticides against insect pests of cowpea is beneficial. The degree of pest control with Cypermethrin results in reduced of damage to the cowpea pods including the newly developing young shoots, peduncles and green pods.…”

Insect Pests Preference for Cowpea: The Dilemma of Farmers in West Africa

“…Misuse of synthetic pesticides was reported to be prevalent among most cowpea farmers in Mubi zone of Northern Nigeria. The high adoption rates as found for the use of inorganic insecticides and spraying regime, as well as indiscriminate use, were traceable to awareness amongst the farmers that nonuse of insecticides at the appropriate time would account for low seed yield and crop failure Sabo et al, 2014). In Ghana, the list of registered pesticides are regularly updated to improve their quality, but dismally, farmers use unapproved pesticides.…”

Association of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) (var. Ife Brown) with Colletotrichum destructivum O’Gara: A special reference to nutrients lost by the host

“…is endemic, destructive, and affects all the aerial organs of the crop. Thus, the disease remains one of the major biotic challenges to economic cowpea production in the sub-region, especially in Nigeria (Adegbite and Amusa 2008;Sabo et al 2014;Falade et al 2018). Colletotrichum destructivum O'Gara has been identified as the causal agent of the disease in Nigeria (Ogu and Owoeye 2013;Awurum and Enyiukwu 2013).…”