TITLE:
An Evaluation of Insecticidal Properties of Extract from Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium) in Controlling Cylas (Cylas puncticolis) an Insect Pest of Sweet Potatoes in Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Lawrence A. Ugbe, Patrick O. Ukatu, Akinmola Solomon Morebise
KEYWORDS:
Pyrethrum, Extract, Experimental Design, Variety, Insecticidal, Insect Pest
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.5,
May
31,
2025
ABSTRACT: This experiment was carried out in 2023 and 2024 farming seasons at the teaching and research farm of Federal College of Education, Obudu in Cross River State of Nigeria. The study was to evaluated the insecticidal properties of extract from flowers of Pyethrium (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium) in controlling Cylas punticolis, a predominant insect pest of sweet potato in Nigeria. The experiment was established in a piece of fallow land measuring 25.0 × 25.0 m. The design of the experiment was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with a 3 by 5 factorial layout. 3 sweet potato varieties were cultivated on 5 beds measuring 4 m × 2 m each. There were 5 beds per plots, 15 beds in the 3 plots representing a block. The experiment was replicated 3 times with 45 beds in the entire experimental plot. Sweet potato cuttings were planted at 30 cm within rows and 75 cm between rows, giving a plant population of 26 stands per bed, 130 stands per plot, 390 stands per replicate and 1,170 stands in the entire farm. Extract from the flowers of pyrethrum were prepared into a solution and applied at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 litres per hectare to the sweet potato stands on the beds with the help of a knapsack sprayer at 12 weeks after planting, to control activities of Cylas spp. The sweet potato variety was the main plot, while the volume of application of the plant extract was the sub-plot. Data for the number of tubers per stand, tuber weight in grammes (g) per stand and tuber yield in tonnes per hectare (t/ha) were taken. The average of all data generated in each parameter were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means separated by Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 0.05 level of probability. Findings revealed that extract from flowers of Pyrethrum has the efficacy to effectively control Cylas spp in sweet potato farm, thereby resulting to higher yield of the crop. It was recommended that the extract should be applied at 8 litre /a.i/ per hectare to sweet potato plants in the field to control Cylas spp. The application should be preventive.