Neem leaf extract from plant specie, Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) was investigated for efficacy and economics in the control and management of insect pests at the Students' Experimental and Research Farm of Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria in 2015.
The results revealed that the frequency of grasshopper as the most prevalent insect pest was (49.06%), while white fly was the least (6.6%). The most prevalent insect pest that attacked cucumber was the spotted Cucumber beetle, (43.95%), while aphid was the least. The treatment solution, Deltamethrin at 10 ml/litre and 20 ml/li were highly phytotoxic, killing some of the maize and cucumber plants; but at 5.0 ml/litre, the plants were not affected and insect population was reduced as in all other treatments. Infestation of the plant continued till the 56 days after planting (DAP) and the insect population was consistently low on plants treated with Neem extract from 21 DAP to 56 DAP. Infestation of untreated plants attained a peak at 41 DAP. Insect population on untreated plants was not significantly higher (P > 0.05) than those on treated plots at 21 DAP and 56 DAP, respectively. This was probably due to the treatment application, which did not start until 21 DAP. There was 81% reduction in leaf damage on plants treated with A. indica at 20 ml/litre, 80% reduction at 10 ml/litre and 72% at 5 ml/litre; while plants treated with Deltamethrin at 5 .0ml/litre gave 54%, at 3.75 ml/litre, 52% and at 2.5 ml/litre, 50%, reduction in leaf area damaged respectively. The cost of deltamethrin at N1, 150.00 per litre compared with the cost of preparing 500 grammes of pounded neem leaves soaked in 1.5 litres of distilled water at N200.00 only. The difference of N950.00 indicates that synthetic chemical pesticide is very costly and resource- poor farmers may not be able to afford them to control pests in their farms. Therefore, it is concluded that Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) (neem) extract can be a suitable alternative to synthetic pesticide for the management of crop pests, and since it is cheap, available and easy to prepare, it can save the farmer's production cost. If this simple technology is adopted by small scale farmers, it will improve the farmers’ income, without harming the farmer, customers and consumers or disrupting the agro-ecosystem.
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.4 Scope of the study
1.5 Justification of the Study
1.6 Duration of the study
1.7 Definition of Terms
2.0 Review of Literature
2.1 The Maize Crop
2.1.1 Importance of maize
2.1.2 Production
2.1.3 Harvesting
2.1.4 Consumption
2.2 Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
2.2.1 Brief History of Cucumber
2.2 Empirical Review
2.3 Neem Leaves used as Fungicide
2.4 Neem as a Bio-pesticide
2.5 Scientific basis for effectiveness of Neem materials in pests control
2.6 Deltamethrin
2.6.1 Toxicological effects of Deltamethrin
2.6.1.1 Acute Toxicity
2.6.2 Chronic Toxicity
2.6.3 Organ Toxicity
2.6.4 Fate of Deltamethrin in Humans and Animals
2.7 Ecological Effects
2.7.1 Effects of Deltamethrin on Birds
2.7.2 Effects Deltamethrin on Aquatic Organisms
2.7.3 Effects of Deltamethrin on Other Animals (Non-target species)
2.8 Environmental Fate
2.8.1 Breakdown of Chemical in Soil and Groundwater
2.8.2 Breakdown of Chemical in Surface Water
2.8.3 Breakdown of Chemical in Vegetation
2.9 Physical Properties and Guidelines
2.9.1 Deltamethrin Exposure Guidelines
2.9.2 Physical Properties of Deltamethrin
2.10 Basic Manufacturer of Deltamethrin
3.0 Materials and Method
3.1 Study Area
3.2 Planting and Cropping Maintenance
3.3 Layout of the Experimental Plot
3.4 Data Collection
3.5 Parameters Measured
3.6 Treatment from the Plots
Treatment application
3.7 Data Analysis
4.0 Result and Discussion
4.1 Effect of treatment on mean germination count of Maize (%)
5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and economic viability of using neem leaf extracts (Azadirachta indica) in comparison to the synthetic pesticide Deltamethrin for the control of insect pests in maize and cucumber fields. The study explores whether local, cost-effective botanical alternatives can effectively replace expensive imported synthetic chemicals, thereby supporting resource-poor farmers in improving crop yields while minimizing health and environmental hazards.
- Comparative analysis of neem leaf extract and Deltamethrin pesticide
- Assessment of insect pest incidence on maize and cucumber crops
- Evaluation of the growth performance of crops under various treatment regimens
- Cost-benefit analysis of botanical vs. synthetic pest control methods
- Investigation into the repellent and insecticidal properties of neem extracts
Excerpt from the Book
2.5 Scientific basis for effectiveness of Neem materials in pests control
How neem materials, whether raw, enriched, or purified, including bi-active compounds, such as azadirachtin, affect behaviour, growth and development, and survival and reproduction of stored product insects has been reviewed (Mordue (Luntz) and Blackwell 1993, Pascual et al. 1990, Singh 1993). Although the sensitivity of stored product insect pests to neem materials varies, almost all the species are sensitive to neem. Although seed damage is not always reduced by neem materials at par with synthetic insecticides (Sehgal and Ujagar 19990), the advantage of neem treatment is that it does not impair the germination of stored seed.
Chapter Summaries
1.0 Introduction: This chapter introduces the research context, highlighting the importance of maize and cucumber as crops and the burden of pest infestation, while setting the objectives for exploring botanical pest control.
2.0 Review of Literature: This section details existing research on the cultivation of maize and cucumbers, the characteristics and toxicological effects of the synthetic pesticide Deltamethrin, and the botanical properties of neem as a bio-pesticide.
3.0 Materials and Method: Describes the experimental design, including the study location, intercropping methods, treatment applications (neem extracts at various concentrations vs. Deltamethrin), and the statistical approach used to analyze the results.
4.0 Result and Discussion: Presents the primary findings from the field trial, comparing pest mortality rates, crop damage, growth characteristics, and cost differences between the two treatment methods.
5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation: Summarizes the key findings and concludes that neem leaf extract is a safe, effective, and economical alternative to synthetic pesticides for smallholder farmers, followed by policy and practice recommendations.
Keywords
Neem lead extract, Azadirachta indica, Deltamethrin, Pest control, Maize, Cucumber, Botanical pesticide, Agriculture, Crop yield, Bio-pesticide, Insecticide efficacy, Sustainable farming, Economic sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research evaluates the effectiveness and economic feasibility of using neem leaf extract as a natural botanical pesticide to control common insect pests in maize and cucumber fields, specifically compared to the synthetic pesticide Deltamethrin.
What are the primary themes addressed in the work?
The work addresses crop protection, integrated pest management (IPM), the toxicological profile of synthetic versus botanical pesticides, the economic challenges faced by resource-limited farmers, and the growth response of staple crops.
What is the ultimate goal of the investigation?
The goal is to determine if locally available and cheaper organic alternatives like neem leaf extract can match the efficacy of expensive imported synthetic pesticides to enhance crop production while being safer for the environment and users.
Which scientific methodology was applied in this study?
The study employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with multiple replicates, monitoring plant growth parameters and insect population levels over the 6-month farming season, followed by ANOVA and LSD analysis.
What topics are discussed in the main content?
The main content reviews the biological profiles of maize and cucumber, provides extensive toxicological data on Deltamethrin, details the preparation and application of neem extracts, and presents data from the experimental farming season.
Which keywords define this document?
Key terms include neem leaf extract, Azadirachta indica, Deltamethrin, pest control, sustainable agriculture, and bio-pesticides.
How does neem leaf extract specifically affect insect pests compared to synthetic chemicals?
Neem contains several compounds, most notably azadirachtin, which acts as a broad-spectrum repellent and insect growth regulator by interfering with the development and behavior of insects, whereas Deltamethrin is a faster-acting synthetic poison that often poses higher health risks.
Is the application of neem leaf extract considered cost-effective for the farmers in the study area?
Yes, the study concludes that significant costs can be saved by using neem extracts instead of synthetic alternatives, with the economic analysis demonstrating that botanical preparations are much more affordable for resource-poor farmers.
Are there any identified risks or limitations to using the studied insecticides?
The study notes that improper use of synthetic pesticides like Deltamethrin can be toxic to both the crops and the ecosystem, whereas neem, when properly prepared and applied, offers a much safer and environmentally friendly alternative despite requiring careful preparation.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Udeme Usanga (Autor:in), 2015, Efficacy and Economics of Using Neem (Azadirachta indica). Insect Pest Economics, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1387609
