Abstract

Ahmed Oladimeji* and Musa Abdulrasak Kannike

The efficacy of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) leaf extracts and lambda-cyhalothrin were compared at three levels of concentration against flea beetle, Podagrica spp. (Jac.) in okra. The leaf extracts were applied at 5, 10 and 20 ml per litre while lambda-cyhalothrin was applied at 2.5, 3.75 and 5.0 ml per litre. Distilled water only served as control. In this study, treatment of okra plant with the synthetic insecticide and the leaf extracts against Podagrica spp. using hand spray significantly suppressed (P < 0.05) insect population, reduced leaf damage and enhanced dry pod yield. The treated okra plants performed significantly better (P < 0.05) than the control. Percentage reduction in leaf damage ranged between 21 - 43% in O. basilicum, 50 - 54% in Azadirachta indica and 72 - 81% in lambda-cyhalothrin compared with the control. There was significant linear negative relationship between dry pod yield and surface area of leaf damaged by the insect (0.001 < P > 0.01).