| About Necofa | General Acitivities | Projects | National Network Groups | Picture Gallery | Services | Contact & Imprint |
|
Plant and animal health |
By Professor T.O.OSENI, MNIM Crop Production Programme, A.T.B.U.,Bauchi.Nigeria.
The development and use of chemical insecticides/ pesticides in Nigeria has not been without attendant problems. Application of these chemicals had led to unguided harm to agro biodiversity as many beneficial organisms and plants are destroyed and water sources get contaminated. Farmers have over the time found alternative means of controlling pests and diseases which is safe, cheap, easily available, affordable and acceptable than the use of synthetic chemicals which are not only expensive but also pose a potential danger to the environment. This paper presents a review of the utilization of less toxic pesticides (bio-pesticides) from natural crops to enhance productivity and the sustenance of Agro-biodiversity and sustainable Agriculture.
Crops such as Annona {Soursop} (Annona muricata), Chilli Pepper (Capsicum frutescence), Garlic (Allium sativum) and Tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum) have been adopted for use by farmers in the control of various pests and diseases (Stoll, 1986).
Brief illustration on how these natural crops can be used as pesticide is given below.
The effective range include contact and stomach poison, insecticidal, larvicidal, repellent and anti-feedant value. It is suitable for targeting insects like Aphids, Diamond back moth and brown rice plant hopper. Seeds can be pulverised and used against parasites, insects and lice. Leaf extract is very effective against red pumpkin beetle.
Effective range is like Annona, but is a fumigant and viroid. Target organisms include Ants, caterpillars and warehouse pests.
Finely ground hot chilli pepper can be stirred in water and allowed to stand overnight and after filtering through cloth, the solution is sprayed onto plants and where sprayer is unavailable, it can be sprinkled with a whisk of twigs or grass.
Garlic has similar effective range with Chillies and Annona. In addition, it could be used for bacterial, nematicidal, ticks and fungal attack. It is also useful in targeting organisms such as armyworms, beetle and wireworms. The methods of use vary depending on farmer’s problems. For caterpillar attack in fruit trees, 2 finely grated garlic bulbs and 2-teaspoon chilli peppers are stirred into 4 litres of hot water in which a nut-sized piece of soap is dissolved. The solution is allowed to cool and then sprayed.
The leaves and stalks are useful in crop protection. Effective range include contact stomach and respiratory poison, repellent, insecticide, fungicidal and acaricidal. A spray can be prepared by soaking 1 kg of bruised tobacco leaves and stalk in 15 litres of water for a day. A small handful of soap flakes are added as adhesive agent. After one day the parts are filtered out and solution applied immediately. Target organisms include leaf miners, stem borers and grain weevils.
In view of the toxic effects of chemical pesticides, concerted efforts should be geared towards the development and use of alternative, cheap, sustainable and environmentally friendly pesticides from natural crops in future.
To achieve the objective, the following steps should be canvassed:
Stoll G.(1988) Insecticide Plants, Natural Crop Protection in the Tropics. Margraf Publishers
F.R.Germany 187pp.
| About Necofa | General Acitivities | Projects | National Network Groups | Picture Gallery | Services | Contact & Imprint |
