Influence of Poultry Manure Application on Insect Pests of Two Varieties of Pigeon Pea [Cajanus cajan L. Millsp] in a Humid Tropical Environment

• F.O. Ojiako

  Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria Department of Crop and Soil Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

  Author

• U. Zakka

  Division of Microbial Biotechnology, Department of Home Economics and Food Science, University of Ilorin, P.M.B

  Author

• R.M.O. Kayode

  15, Ilorin, Nigeria

  Author

• C.S. Offor

  Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria Department of Crop and Soil Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

  Author

Field evaluation of the effect of variety and poultry manure application rates on the relative abundance of insect pests of pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan, was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, southeastern Nigeria. The trial was laid out in a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement fitted into a Randomized Complete Block Design. Two (2) varieties of pigeon pea, locally called “Gammu gammu” and “Chorie”, were treated with five levels of poultry manure (PM) at 0.00 (control), 1.80, 3.60, 5.40 and 7.20 kg/plot and replicated four times. Seeds were planted at a spacing of 30 cm x 60 cm (55,556 plants ha-1). Percentage seed emergence was recorded after 50 % emergence and insect pest sampling was carried out weekly from the third week after sowing. Leaf damage and other growth parameters (number of leaves and branches) were carried out at 3, 6 and 9 weeks after planting (WAP). Yield measurement parameters (pod, seed and shell weights) were assessed. Major insect pests of pigeon pea at vegetative phase identified, in order of importance, were; Leptualaca fassicollis Thoms (leaf beetles), Empoasca facialis Jacobi (Jassids, Green leaf hoppers), Aphis craccivora Koch (Aphids), Podagrica spp. Jacoby (Flea beetles), Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Whiteflies) and Zonocerus variegatus Linnaeus (Variegated grasshoppers). Major flower and pod-damaging insects were; Helicorverpa armigera Hübner (Pod borers), Mylabris pustulata Thunberg (Blister beetles), Nezera viridula Linnaeus (Southern green stink bugs), Riptortus dentipes Fabricius (Pod-sucking bugs), Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Bean pod borers) and Anoplocnemis curvipes Fabricius (Coreid bugs), in that order. There were no significant differences between the varieties but increased rate of poultry manure application led to increases in the number of branches, buds and leaves and also had a significant effect on leaf damage. Plants treated with highest rate of poultry manure (7.20 kg), in both varieties, tolerated insect attack and had more leaves, branches and yield (pod, seed and shell weights) than those treated with 3.60, 1.80 and 0.00 kg respectively. It may be concluded that the cultivation of pigeon pea with poultry manure, in a humid tropical environment, will increase yield and tolerance of the crop to insect pest attack..

1. F.O. Ojiako, Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria Department of Crop and Soil Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

   Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria Department of Crop and Soil Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

2. U. Zakka, Division of Microbial Biotechnology, Department of Home Economics and Food Science, University of Ilorin, P.M.B

   Division of Microbial Biotechnology, Department of Home Economics and Food Science, University of Ilorin, P.M.B

3. R.M.O. Kayode, 15, Ilorin, Nigeria

   15, Ilorin, Nigeria

4. C.S. Offor, Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria Department of Crop and Soil Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

   Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria Department of Crop and Soil Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

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