Biological Activity Of Tephrosia Vogelii Hook. And Lantana Camara L. Aqueous Crude Extracts Against Golden Flea Beetle (Aphthona Whitfieldi Bryant) In Jatropha (Jatropha Curcas L.)

ABSTRACT

In an attempt to address the insect pest menace in Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.), a study was conducted to document the major insect pests of Jatropha in Kenya and evaluate the bioactivity of aqueous T. vogelii and L. camara extracts against adult golden flea beetle (GFB). A stratified simple random sampling procedure was used to gather information on the major insect pests of Jatropha in Bondo and Kibwezi districts. In the laboratory and field studies, aqueous crude extracts, at four rates (0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0% w/v) and a synthetic insecticide, Karate (2.5% w/v), were evaluated for bioactivity against adult GFB. The laboratory experiments were laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) with 4-5 replicates per treatment. In the field experiments, treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates per site. Data collected on the major insect pests were analyzed using GLM of SPSS version 12. Data on percent mortality, pest reduction, feeding deterrence and repellence were to analysis of variance and means separated by Tukey‘s HSD test. Contact toxicity data were subjected to probit regression analysis using EPA Probit Analysis Program version 1.4 and LC50 values obtained. Field survey results showed that GFB was the most important insect pest of Jatropha. In the laboratory bioassays, the results showed that aqueous crude extracts of T.vogelii and L. camara had significant (P