Repellant Effect of Urine Insecticides Spray and NPK (15:15:15) Compound Fertilizer Application on the Growth and Yield of watermelon (Citrullu lonatus Thumb)

A field study conducted to investigate the Repellent effects urine insecticide spray and NPK(15:15:15) compound fertilizer on the growth and yield of watermelon (Citrullus Lonatus Thumb) in forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, (FRIN) experimental plot at Agbede, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State. Four regimes of Urine insecticide spray and four rate of NPK compound fertilizer application were factorially combined and laid out in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three replication. Urine insecticide spray and fertilizer application did not affect the period of flowering and poddring significantly (P> 0.05). NPK compound fertilizer application significantly (P< 0.05) increase the number and length of main vines, pod number and yield while Vines insecticide spray significantly (P< 0.05) increase the length of the main virus and yield. In the rate of application, 200kg/ha NPK was optimum and this recommended for watermelon cultivation. Twice spray regimes of urine insecticide was recommended for watermelon cultivation.

Improving the efficacy of Tithonia diversifolia extract in management of foliar diseases of sesame intercropped with maize under tropical conditions

Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) and Alternaria leaf blight (ALB) diseases are major constraints to sesame production. Although disease management through intercropping of sesame with maize and foliar-spray with extracts of Tithonia diversifolia have been found to be effective, the frequency of application of the extracts required to achieve optimal disease control have not been determined. Therefore, a study was carried out to determine the effect of frequency of application of T. diversifolia extract on CLS and ALB diseases of sesame intercropped with maize during the early (June – September) and late (August – November) cropping seasons of 2011. Field experiments laid out in a Randomised Complete Block design and in a split plot arrangement with three replications were conducted in Ejigbo, Nigeria. Treatments consisted of aqueous Tithonia diversifolia leaf extract applied at 7.0, 7.5 or 8.0 % (w/v) in one-, two- or three- spray regimes at 2-week intervals from three weeks after planting (WAP) to plots of sesame intercropped with maize; Unsprayed sesame/maize intercrop; sesame/maize intercrop sprayed with Carbendazim (50 %)WP and unsprayed sole sesame plots. Results revealed that CLS and ALB incidence, severity and defoliation were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by three-spray regime of 7.5 % (w/v) T. diversifolia extract. The efficacy of 7.5 % (w/v) T. diversifolia extract was comparable to that of 8.0 % (w/v) T. diversifolia extract or synthetic fungicide (Carbendazim 50 %WP). This study showed that the three-spray regime of 7.5 % w/v T. diversifolia leaf extract is sufficient to control foliar diseases of sesame intercropped with maize.

Influence of Brevicoryne brassicae L. incidence on the yield of marketable cabbage heads under different insecticide spray regimes in highlands of Himachal Pradesh (India)

Strong and negative correlation was observed between the yield of marketable cabbage heads and populations of/plant infestations by cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae L.) 14 days after first and second spray. Weak correlation existed between yield of marketable cabbage heads and aphid populations/plant infestations at pre-treatment. Therefore, insecticide sprays should be done to control late aphid infestations and avoided against early aphid infestations.