Asian Journal of Research in Botany

Pesticides are highly toxic substances. Their toxicity may not completely eliminate the target organisms but may adversely affect some of the life processes of the non-target host plants. This research work was carried out in order to check its effect and to compare the effect of a biopesticide made of mixture of Neem leaf and agal extract with that of a synthetic pesticide (Adrin dust) in the control of pests of fluted pumpkin. This experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design. The effect of these treatment on insect control were evaluated, in terms of number of days of germination, leaf length, leaf width, number of leaf and petiole length, all at two weeks after germination. Results showed that the Neem leaf and blue green algal extract, were effective in controlling the pest attacking the fluted pumpkin in the field, and also improved the morphological growth of the plant with increase in concentration when compared with the chemical insecticide and the control. The number of days of germination was faster when compared with control, leaf length, also showed a significant growth at 60% concentration. This was not so with the synthetic pesticide as the increase in concentration of the insecticide, affected growth. The knowledge of effectiveness of bio-pesticides can therefore be exploited for crop improvement and breeding purposes.