Petiveria alliacea L. and Luffa cylindrica (L.) rox. aqueous extracts synergetic action in suppressing Podagrica uniforma Jacoby and Nisota dilecta Jacoby (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) infestation on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted in 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the synergetic effect of Petivera alliaceae and Luffa cylindrica aqueous extracts against Podagrica uniforma and Nisota dilecta infestation on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in complete randomised block design and replicated three times. Crude aqueous extracts and its mixtures were applied at 25% w/v. The study revealed that a mixture of L. cylindrica and P. alliacea extracts outperformed the extracts sole application and ranked next to synthetic insecticide justifying its synergetic potential in insect pest management. The efficacy of the crude extracts and synthetic insecticides was found in the following order Cypermethrin > mixture of P. alliacea + L. cylindrica > P. alliacea > L. cylindrica. Thus, suggesting that P. alliacea and L. cylinrica aqueous extract could be a good source of insecticide in reducing insect pest infestation and improve okra fruit yield. Consequently, resource-poor farmers should adopt P. alliacea + L. cylindrica mixture and sole application of P. alliacea extracts for the management of P. uniforma and N. dilecta infestation and increase okra fruit yield. Further study is required to evaluate the extracts mode of action on the insect pest and their toxicity on albino rate to determine their safety.