Evaluating the efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) as a bio-pesticide for controlling cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii)
Journal Title: Scientia Agriculturae - Year 2016, Vol 16, Issue 2
Abstract
Biopesticides are important in crop production systems because they minimize cost, protect the environment and are safe to the farmer. A field experiment was carried out during the 2015 – 2016 cropping season in ward 15 of Guruve District, Mashonaland Central Province of Zimbabwe to investigate the effectiveness of garlic (Allium sativum) as a bio-control method for aphids (Aphis gossypii) in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) production. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 5 treatments (85g chopped garlic/ 9litres water, 50g chopped garlic/9litres water and 25g chopped garlic/ 9litres water) and Dimethoate 40 EC) and the control (untreated) was used in the study. Cotton stalk height (cm), aphid count score, number of cotton bolls per plant and cotton yield were measured to assess aphid damage. Data was analyzed using Gen Stat Discovery Edition 3 (VSN International Ltd., 2016) and graphs were constructed using Excel 2007. There were no significant (p > 0.05) stalk differences in garlic treated plots and those treated with Dimethoate 40 EC. The aphid count score in all the garlic treated plots and those treated with Dimethoate 40 EC were statistically similar (p > 0.05). The boll count in all garlic treated plot were statistically similar (p > 0.05) to the garlic treated plots. Cotton yield/ ha in the 85 g garlic extract/ 9l water treatment was similar to the yield from the Dimethoate 40 EC treated plots, and the two were significantly greater (p < 0.05) than the yield from the 50 g garlic extract/ 9l water and the 25 g garlic extract/ 9l water treatments. Garlic at 85 g extract/ 9l water was as effective as the standard Dimethoate 40 EC in controlling aphids in cotton, and the two aphid control treatment had comparable yield. Therefore, garlic is recommended as a biocontrol agent for aphids in cotton production.
Authors and Affiliations
T Magwenya, E Svotwa , R. D Katsaruware
Keywords
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- EP ID EP159636
- DOI 10.15192/PSCP.SA.2016.16.2.5460
- Views 88
- Downloads 0
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