Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 41: 2765 - 2771. Published May 10, 2011.
The influence of nutrient application on the pests and natural enemies of pests of okra Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)(Moench.)
P. K. Baidoo1 and M. B. Mochiah2
1Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
2 Entomology Section, Crop Research Institute of Ghana, P. O. Box 3785, Kwadaso, Kumasi, Ghana.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Increased nutrient application to the soil enhances plant growth and thus improves the yield of crops. However, improved vegetative growth can make the plant more attractive to pests attack and destruction. The study was therefore conducted to assess the effects of artificial fertilizer and poultry manure on the pests and the natural enemies of the pests of okra.
Methodology and Results: The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three treatments which were replicated three times. The effects of NPK and poultry manure were studied on parameters such as insect pests’ numbers and their natural enemies. The numbers of infested leaves, numbers of holes, leaf area, percentage defoliation, fruit damage, plant height and number of fruits were determined. Pest numbers on the various treatments did not differ significantly (P> 0.05). Numbers of infested leaves and holes and percentage defoliation did not differ significantly (P> 0.05). Mean leaf area was however significantly larger on NPK-treated plots than on poultry-manured plots.
Conclusions and application of findings: Management of insect pest by the average resource-poor farmer using chemical insecticides may not be a viable option. Application of poultry manure as soil amendments may be a viable alternative to artificial fertilizer. Its use does not only enhance the growth of the plant but also improve yield. The use of animal manure in Africa will be particularly beneficial to the small-scale farmers many of whom cannot afford artificial fertilizers. The continuous and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers has some negative effects on the environment. These include run-off and leaching into water bodies thereby polluting them. Thus the use of organic manure will help address some of these environmental challenges.
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