MAXIMIZING OKRA YIELD AND MINIMIZING INSECT PESTS WITH NEEM LEAF EXTRACT: A CULTIVAR COMPARISON BETWEEN JOKOSO AND CLEMSON SPINELESS
Keywords:
Clemson Spineless, Jokoso, Insect Pest, Neem leaf extract, YieldAbstract
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a valuable vegetable crop cultivated for its nutritional and therapeutic properties but its yield is hindered by insect pests. Control with toxic pesticides have caused environmental, human, and non-target harm. Therefore, this research examined the response of cultivars Jokoso and Clemson Spineless to neem leaf extract (NLEX). The experiment was setup in a randomized complete block design with four replications. NLEX was administered as a foliar spray at varied dosages, while the control was sprayed with distilled water, and data on insect infestation and okra yield were collected. The plants were examined for growth and yield parameters examined. The results showed that Jokoso had significantly (p<0.05) larger plant height, stem girth, and number of leaves than Clemson Spineless. Nevertheless, Clemson Spineless had significantly (p<0.05) longer and thicker fruits, with higher fruit weight. This means that NLEX considerably (p<0.05) reduced insect pest infestation in both cultivars, with Jokoso showing a higher response. Moreover, the application of neem leaf extract led to a substantial (p<0.05) increase in okra output, with Clemson Spineless showing a larger yield increase compared to Jokoso. In conclusion, NLEX can be used as a biopesticide to reduce insect pests and enhance okra productivity.
References
Adeyeye, O. A., Adekiya, A. O., Ojeniyi, S. O., Dunsin, O., Suleiman, M. A. 2021. Growth and yield responses of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) to neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract as soil drench. Nigerian Journal of Soil and Environmental Research, 20(1): 105-112.
Acharya, P., Mir, S.A. and Nayak, B. 2017. Competence of biopesticide and neem in agriculture. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 2(6): 238987.
Adusei, S., Azupio, S. 2022. Neem: A Novel Biocide for Pest and Disease Control of Plants. Journal of Chemistry.
Agbabiaka, L. A., Olugbemi, O. I., and Adejumo, T. O. 2020. Growth, yield, and quality of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) as influenced by neem leaf extract under varying irrigation regimes. Journal of Horticulture and Forestry, 12(9): 109-115.
Agboola, A. O., Ogundele, O. J., Oluwaniyi, O. O., Olayemi, F. F. 2021. Neem leaf extract as an alternative control measure against diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) on cabbage. Journal of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, 9(03): 68-74.
Akanbi, W. B., Sajuyigbe, A. S., Gbadegesin, M. A. 2020. Evaluation of some okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) genotypes for resistance to bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera Hübner) in southwest Nigeria. Scientia Horticulturae, 267: 109314.
Ali, A., Nawaz, M., Ahmad, A., Raza, S. M., Sial, R. A. 2021. Efficacy of neem (Azadirachta indica) extracts against cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Journal of Applied Entomology, 145(1-2): 95-105.
Aminu, U., Musa, M. M., Odeyemi, O. O. 2020. Growth and yield performance of two okra cultivars under different soil nutrient levels and spacing. Nigerian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 18(1): 93-101.
Anjali, N., Ali, M. A., Singh, J. 2021. Efficacy of neem leaf extract against whitefly (Bemisia tabaci G.) and aphid (Aphis gossypii G.) on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). Journal of Plant Protection Research, 61(1): 30-37.
Arora, N. K., Verma, M., Tyagi, S. P., Singh, M. 2020. Neem-based products: A sustainable solution for plant growth promotion and pest control. In Recent Advances in Plant Growth Promoting Microbial Biotechnology and Sustainable Aagriculture 123-150. Springer, Singapore.
Bansal, R., Mittal, V., Sharma, S. K., Kumar, S. 2018. Effect of neem-based products on soil microorganisms and nematodes: a review. Journal of Plant Protection Research, 58(4): 293-302.
Bello, A. A., Umar, S., Sule, A., Yahaya, Y., Sani, S. 2020. Effectiveness of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) leaf extract in controlling insect pests of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) and its influence on yield and quality. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 24(8): 1461-1467.
Boate, U., Abalis, O. 2020. Review on the bio-insecticidal properties of some plant secondary metabolites: Types, formulations, modes of action, advantages and limitations. Asian Journal of Research in Zoology, 3(4): 27-60.
Bose, S., Baral, S. 2019. The beneficial role of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) in agriculture: A comprehensive review. Journal of Horticulture and Forestry, 11(6): 107-121.
Chauhan, H., Dave, A., Choudhary, P. 2021. Comparative evaluation of growth, yield and quality of two varieties of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) under protected cultivation. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 10(2): 1171-1176.
Elango, G., Sivanandhan, G., Rajesh, M., Kumar, K. K. 2020. Effectiveness of neem leaf extract in managing aphids (Aphis gossypii) and whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 9(2): 384-387.
Gopalakrishnan, C., Bharathi, M., Thiruppathi, P., Mohan, M. 2021. Efficacy of neem seed kernel extracts on maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais infesting stored maize. Journal of Stored Products and Postharvest Research, 12(1): 27-33.
Isman, M. B. 2020. Botanical insecticides in the 21st century—fulfilling their promise? Annual Review of Entomology, 65: 233-249.
Isman, M. B. 2021. Botanical insecticides in the 21st century: Fulfilling their promise? Annual Review of Entomology, 66: 433-450.
Kilani-Morakchi, S., Morakchi-Goudjil, H., Sifi, K. 2021. Azadirachtin-based insecticide: Overview, risk assessments, and future directions. Frontiers in Agronomy, 3: 676208.
Mazumdar, P., Nath, N. C., Bora, R. 2020. Efficacy of neem-based biopesticide against insect pests of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) and their natural enemies. Journal of Crop Protection, 9(3): 329-336.
Moyo, F., Ncube, B., Dube, E., Maphosa, M. 2020. Effect of neem leaf extract on yield and shelf life of tomatoes. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 15(1): 77-83.
Nene, Y. L., Rawat, S. S., Kumar, A. (2021). Effect of neem oil on insect pests and natural enemies in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 9(2): 159-163.
Nkansah, G. O., Abagale, F. K., Donkor, F., Nyarko, G. (2021). Effect of neem leaf extract on the yield and quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Advances in Horticultural Science, 35(3): 529-535.
Odeyemi, O. O., Adeniji, O. T., Akinwande, B. O. 2021. Performance evaluation of two okra varieties under the influence of different mulching materials. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 27(2): 318-324.
Ofuya, T.I., Okunlola, A.I., Mbata, G.N. 2023. A Review of Insect Pest Management in Vegetable Crop Production in Nigeria. Insects, 14(2): 111.
Ogunleye, O. B., Ayodele, J. T., Omoloye, A. A. 2018. Comparative effectiveness of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract on the control of major insect pests of okra. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 20(2): 405-410.
Ojomo, O. A., Adetumbi, J. A., Balogun, O. S. 2020. Evaluation of neem leaf extract for the management of okra fruit borer (Earias vittella Fab.) in southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 8(4): 768-772.
Olayemi, F. F., Osonubi, O., Adebayo-Tayo, B. C., Owoeye, O. J. 2020. The effect of neem leaf extract on the growth and yield of okra and control of cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover). International Journal of Research and Review, 7(1), 312-318.
Oluwaseun, A. O., Olasupo, K. T., Olatunde, G. O. 2020. Effect of neem leaf extract on growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and insect pest control. Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International, 21(6): 1-12.
Omeje, J. N., Onyeka, J. O., Umeozor, O. C., Nwosu, L. C., Okolo, C. C. 2018. Efficacy of botanicals and chemical insecticides on flea beetles (Podagrica uniforma and Podagrica sjostedti) infesting Solanum aethiopicum L. in southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Applied Biosciences, 126: 12705-12716.
Owolade, O. F., Ayandiji, A. A., Adejumo, I. O. 2020. Effects of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract on the growth and yield of two okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) varieties. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 43(14): 2119-2129. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2020.1813274
Rahman, M. M., Hasan, M. M., Hasan, M. R., Rahman, M. S. 2021. Effect of neem leaf extract on the population reduction of aphids (Aphis gossypii Glover) and growth performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) cultivars. Annals of Agricultural Sciences, 66(1): 56-64.
Roshan, A., Verma, N.K. 2015. A brief study on neem (Azarrdirachta indica A.) and its application–A review. Research Journal of Phytomedicine, 1(1): 01-03.
Shahbaz, M.U., Arshad, M., Mukhtar, K., Nabi, B.G., Goksen, G., Starowicz, M., Nawaz, A., Ahmad, I., Walayat, N., Manzoor, M.F., Aadil, R.M. 2022. Natural Plant Extracts: An Update about Novel Spraying as an Alternative of Chemical Pesticides to Extend the Postharvest Shelf Life of Fruits and Vegetables. Molecules, 27(16): 5152.
Sharma, P., Prakash, V., Sharma, P. 2021. Effect of neem leaf extract on growth and yield parameters of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology, 14(1): 93-98.
Siddiqui, Z. S., Fatima, K., Khan, T. A. 2022. The effect of neem on plant growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 41(1): 56-63.
Srinivasan, R., Lakhwani, D., Shivashankar, S. 2018. Biochemical analysis of okra cultivars for resistance to shoot and fruit borer. Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology, 6(05): 23-28.
Yahaya, U. A., Iyaji, F. O., Alhassan, A. J. 2021. Effect of neem leaf extract on growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) under field conditions in Lafia, Nasarawa State. Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science, 26: 131-138.
