EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BOTANICAL INSECTICIDE MIXTURE OF CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS AND AZADIRACHTA INDICA AGAINST FALL ARMYWORM (SPODOPTERA FRUGIPERDA) ON MAIZE (ZEA MAYS)
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2025-05-27
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Abstract
ABSTRACT
In Uganda, maize is a crucial staple and cash crop for smallholder farmers; however, its
production is currently under serious threat from fall armyworm (Spodoptera
frugiperda). The heavy reliance on synthetic insecticides has raised concerns regarding
environmental pollution, risks to human health, pest resistance, and adverse effects on
beneficial organisms.
This study examined a plant-based alternative using a botanical insecticide mixture of
lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and neem (Azadirachta indica). Field trials were
conducted from December 2024 to April 2025 at Uganda Christian University, Mukono,
utilizing a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The study
aimed to evaluate the efficacy and the optimal concentration of the mixture of
lemongrass and neem leaf required to achieve significant control against fall armyworm
on maize. Treatments included 10%, 30%, and 50% concentrations where
10ml(5ml+5ml),30ml(15ml+15ml), and 50ml(25ml+25ml)) respectively for each.
Data was collected on plant height, leaf area, number of leaves per plant, number of
damaged leaves per plant, leaf injury index, and whorl damage. Results indicated that
lemongrass and neem were significantly effective in controlling fall armyworm
(Spodoptera frugiperda), and 50% was the optimal concentration, with a p-value of
<0.001. Treated maize plants recorded a reduction in the mean of damaged leaves
(1.72,0.74), injury index (1.64,0.79), and whorl damage (2.32,1.36) respectively than
the control (4.68), (3.48), (4.98) respectively. Repeated trials with this botanical
mixture in at least three growing seasons under field conditions could further validate
the current results.