Investigation on the Effect of Azadirachtin Pretreatment on Major Pests, Diseases and Yield of Seed Yam| Chapter 6 | New Perspectives in Agriculture and Crop Science Vol. 3

 

Pests and diseases infested with seed yam content have resulted in sub-optimal yield levels. Neem has been used as a supplement for chemical pesticides and as an environmentally friendly bio-pesticide to minimise annual crop losses due to herbivorous pests and their resulting diseases. Field trials were performed in four communities in each of the Ejura-Sekyedumase and Atebubu-Amantin districts of the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions during the major planting seasons of 2016 and 2017. Yam miniset sizes were pre-treated with 100 g of Mancozeb and 40 mL of Lambda cyhalothrin in 10 L of cocktail water. Yam minisettes of 30 g each were planted on ridges between 100 cm and 30 cm in rows on a plot size of 20 m x 20 m. Five rows per plot were applied with Neem leaf powder and another five acted as an evaluation check. Harvesting was carried out after planting for approximately 6 to 7 months. Scale flies, mealybugs, infestation of beetles, termites, and millipedes. On a scale of 1-5, galling due to rootknot nematodes, cracks, soft and wet rot was evaluated. Yields from tubers were also measured. Compared to the control plots, Neem treated plots were found to have substantially reduced arthropod pest populations and nematode galling as well as damage signs. Seed yam yields on the neem treated plots were higher than the control yields, possibly due to reduced damage to the treated plots. For parcels treated with Azadirachta indica leaves, seed yam yield increased by 40 and 41 percent respectively in the Ejura-Sekyedumase district and 45 and 20 percent in the Atebubu-Amantin district for 2016 and 2017. In terms of parameters calculated and subsequently converted into yield, plots of seed yams treated with neem reported reduced pests and damage. The adoption of neem leaf powder as a pre-treatment for greater productivity is paramount for seed yam producers.

Author(s) Details

Prof. Mochiah Moses Brandford
CSIR-Crops Research Institute, P.O.Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.

Osei Kingsley
CSIR-Crops Research Institute, P.O.Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.

Aidoo Atta Snr
CSIR-Crops Research Institute, P.O.Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.

Lamptey Joseph Nii Lante
CSIR-Crops Research Institute, P.O.Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.

Prof. Ennin Stella Ama

CSIR-Crops Research Institute, P.O.Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.

Danso Yaw
CSIR-Crops Research Institute, P.O.Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.

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