An Investigation on the efficacy of using garlic-chili extract combination in the control of semi-looper in soya beans

Author

Nhambura, Hazel R.T.

Title

An Investigation on the efficacy of using garlic-chili extract combination in the control of semi-looper in soya beans

Abstract

The semi-looper is a significant pest of soya beans, causing substantial crop damage. Currently, chemical pesticides are employed to control this pest, but they can be detrimental to the environment and human health. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop more sustainable methods of pest control. Garlic and chili extracts have been found to possess insecticidal properties, but their efficacy in controlling semi-looper has not been extensively investigated. This research aims to address this knowledge gap by examining the efficacy of garlic and chili extracts in controlling semi-looper in soya beans. A field experiment was conducted to test the efficacy of the garlic-chili extract combination in controlling semi-looper. The experiment was carried out in a field plot, where treatments with two replicates each were treated with garlic-chili extract combination at varying concentration rates (5%, 10%, and 15%). The plot was divided into four blocks to ensure reliable results. The primary objectives of this study were to assess the number of semi-loopers in the field, the extent of crop damage, the effects of this extract combination on soya beans stem height and the impact of these extracts on the germination of soya beans. The data was analyzed using statistical tests to determine whether the extracts have a significant effect on semi-looper control. The results of this research will have significant implications for the development of more sustainable pest control methods. If the garlic-chili extract combination is found to be effective in controlling semi-looper, it could be used as an alternative to chemical pesticides, leading to a reduction in the reliance and use of chemicals in agriculture. This would benefit the environment and human health. Furthermore, if the extracts are found to be effective, they could be commercialized and made available to farmers. One potential limitation of this research is that the experiment will only be conducted in one location, so the results may not be representative of other locations.

Date

June 2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Soya beans

Chemical pesticides

Pests

Pest control

Supervisor

N/A