ABSTRACT

Studies were conducted on the effects of aqueous leaf extracts ofSpondias mombin and Azadirachta indica leaves as biopesticides on Phytolyma lata. The study was carried out between March and November, 2014, in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Management Nursery of Michael Okpara University of analysed at the Laboratory ofthe National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike, Abia state. The properties determined were phenol, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, steroid and alkaloids. The experiment involved the preparation and application of two different concentrations (50% and 100%) of aqueous extracts from the leaves of each of tire S. mombin and A. indica samples. A measured quantity of 200ml was sprayed three times phytochemical screening results showed that both leaves contained alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, steroids and phenol. The results of the quantitative estimates indicated that the percentage composition ofphenol, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids and alkaloids in S. mombin was 1.00±3.80, 3.80±0.10, 2.98±0.02, 7.40±0.10, 1.27±0.10 and 5.8H0.01 respectively. These 0.05) than the corresponding values obtained in leaves of A. indica which were 0.18±0.01, 0.23±0.01, 0.43±0.01, 0.72±0.01, 0.20±0.00, 1.38±0.01 respectively.At the end of the experimental period, gall infestation was least in plants treated with the 100% concentration of aqueous leaf extracts of S. mombin (0.73 ± 5.95) and A indica (0.87 ± 1.65) in relation to the galls infestation in the control plot (15.33 ± 2.80). Similarly the highest leaf Xir Agriculture, Umudike. The phytochemical properties of the leaf extracts were were significantly higher (P a week for 28 weeks. The J productivity was recorded in the 100% S', mombin (28.33 ± 2.80) and A. indica (23.17 ± 5.85) treatment plots in relation to the 50% S. mombin and A. indica treatment plots (21.83 ± 4.17 and 20.67 ± 1.65 respectively). The control plot, which was the most infected with galls, recorded the least leaf productivity (18.83 ± 5.95). The height ofM. excelsa was highest in the S. Mombin 100% plot (46.83 ± 9.83) followed by A. indica 100% plot (44.00 ± 15.64) and the control plot recorded the least height (24.67 ± 5.79). Similarly, the control plot recorded the least girth (13.46±1.29) ofAf. excelsa while the girth was highest in the S'. Mombin 100% plot (23.84±2.98), followed by A. indica 100% plot (18.76±3.45). Between treatments, S', mombin 100% statistically showed lower gall formation (0.73±0.37), increased plant height (46.83±24.08) and plant girth (19.84±7.30) when compared S with the A. indica 100% treatment which recorded 0.87±0.82, 30.67±14.12 and show marked insect control potential. It is known to suppress the feeding, growth performance and reproduction of insects due to its relative selectivity. The study provides evidence that insect pest control using a higher concentration (100%) of S.mombin extract may be more beneficial than using a similar concentration (100%) ofA. indica, hence producing healthy M. excelsa stands. It also provides that both S. mombin and A. indica can form components of the integrated pest management in M. excelsa cultivation.