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Influence of time of planting on yam performance and pest infestation in humid rainforest of southwestern Nigeria
77-84.Views:29Yams (Dioscorea spp.) are annual or perennial tuber-bearing and climbing plants that belong to the family Dioscoreaceae. Only six principal species are grown for human consumption, while several others are produced for medicinal purposes. This study was designed to determine the influence of time of planting on yam performance and pest infestation in humid rainforest of southwestern Nigeria. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three treatments replicated five times. The planting materials are dipped into wood ash and allowed to dry up. The number of yam setts required for this work is 4 pieces, each of white yam sett, seed yam, and 4 pieces of water yam setts for the different planting times. The planting is done in five (5) phases. In each phase 12 heaps are planted, 4 white yams (seed yam), 4 yam setts (white yam) and 4 water yam setts. No significant difference was observed in 50% sprouting both in treatments and replication. There is significant difference in yield both in treatment and block. Yam planted in April (R5) has the highest yield with 3.7 kg, followed by those planted in ending March (R4) with 2.83 kg, followed by those planted in mid-February (R1) with 1.43 kg, then those planted in February ending (R2) with 1.2 kg and those planted in mid-March (R3) with 1.17 kg respectively. The highest level of destruction was witnessed in white seed yam planted in Mid-March and Mid-April as well as white yam sett planted in Mid-February. The lowest level of destruction was found in water yam sett planted in February ending. Shifting planting date can reduce larval survival and pest populations in yam tuber.
Keywords: Dioscorea spp., pest infestation, destruction, sprouting, yam performance.
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Effects of irrigation frequency and repellent plants on false codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) infestation, growth, yield, and quality of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)
34-40.Views:202Sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.) is an important vegetable and spice crop grown worldwide for its pungency, which is derived from high concentrations of capsaicinoids. Despite the economic importance of sweet pepper as an export vegetable in Kenya, its production is currently constrained by the false codling moth (FCM) (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) and inadequate management strategies for the pest, among other factors. This study, therefore, evaluated repellent plants (Artemisia (Artemisia absinthium), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), and Spearmint (Mentha spicata) under different irrigation frequencies to control FCM. A split-plot factorial greenhouse experiment was conducted at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Muguga (trial 1) and the Horticulture Research and Teaching Field, Egerton University, Kenya (trial 2). Irrigation frequency at three levels (irrigating once a week, irrigating twice a week and irrigating thrice a week) was the main-plot factor, while repellent plants at four levels: sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.), artemisia (Artemisia absinthium), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and spearmint (Mentha spicata) constituted the sub-plot factor. Irrigating thrice or twice a week and using lavender as a repellent plant significantly reduced false codling moth infestation by 90%, increased yield by 28% and improved fruit quality in terms of fruit collar diameter and total soluble salts (TSS). The findings demonstrate that integrating lavender repellent plants with frequent irrigation can be adopted as an eco-friendly management strategy for FCM and enhancing sweet pepper yield and quality.
