Rabbit urine and sunflower oil reinforced tephrosia-based formulation for cowpea insectpests management in Singida, Tanzania

Abstract

Insect pests are a major problem in cowpea production. Synthetic pesticides are used to control; however, are non-friendly to human and diversity of organisms. These negative effects raise farmers' interest in botanical pesticides due to less harmful effects on the ecosystem. Tephrosia vogelii extracts, rabbit urine, and sunflower oil were assessed for synergistic effects against cowpea field’s insectpest’s including aphids, pod borer, leaf miner, and beneficial insects. The ingredients were combined in ratio of 10% (w/v) Tephrosia Vogelii (T), 50% (v/v) rabbit urine (U), and 10% (v/v) of sunflower oil (O), while unsprayed plots and synthetic pesticide (Lambda- cyhalothrin 2.5 EC) were control negative and positive, respectively. The experiment was laid down in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Spraying was done weekly where abundances for insects were recorded a day before next schedule. Results showed significant difference P≤0.001 in insect pest counts between treatments. The positive control exhibited smaller mean number (4.3 ± 0.3 d, 4.7±0.3 a and 5.0±0.6 a), followed by combined formulation OUT at a mean (11.0 ± 0.6 c, 8.0±0.6 b, and 4.3±0.3 a) for aphid, leaf miner, and pod borer respectively compared to negative control and individual ingredients (O, U and T) evidencing synergy. The results also indicated the combined formulation (Oil, rabbit urine and Tephrosia) OUT showed comparable yield of (846.1 kg/ha) with control positive (794.6 kg/ha) while uncombine formulation and negative control showed lower yield of 520.6 kg/ha, 611.1 (kg/ha), 662.2 kg/ha, and 483.3 kg/ha respectively. Based on the results, OUT-formulation exhibits synergy for managing cowpea’s insectpest’s, however study on cost-benefit is recommended.