INSECT PEST POPULATION STUDIES IN MILLET/ GROUNDNUT CROPPING PATTERNS
INSECT PEST POPULATION STUDIES IN MILLET/ GROUNDNUT CROPPING PATTERNS
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Date
1997-10
Authors
UMARU, ABDULLAHI BABA
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Abstract
Field experiments were conducted at Samaru in the Northern Guinea Savanna zone of
Nigeria in 1995 and 1996 cropping seasons to evaluate the effect of five intercrop patterns and
two monocrops on populations of insect pests of groundnut. The five intercrop patterns included
millet/groundnut intercrops in the inter-row ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and the intra-row ratios of
2:2 and 1:3. The monocrops were those of millet and groundnut.. Aphis craccivora Koch and
Ootheca species were monitored on groundnut. For aphids, the highest pest populations were
exhibited by the two intra-row arrangements of 2:2 and 1:3. Highest numbers of Ootheca
species were recorded on monocrop groundnuts. However, for both aphids and Ootheca species,
the lowest pest population were recorded in the 1:1 inter-row pattern.
There was significant difference (P<0.05) in populations of Coryna hermaniae Fab.,
Agonoscellis vesicolor F., Melyris abdominalis F., Locris rubens Erichson; Mylabris species,
stem borers and shootflies monitored on millet between monocrop millet and the remaining intercropped
arrangements. However within the remaining intercropped arrangements, there was no
significant difference (P > 0.05) in populations of these insect pests monitored on millet.
Yields of both millet and groundnut were not affected by insect pests due to low insect
population levels. For groundnut, intercropping with millet had significant (P < 0.05) effect
on pod weight per plot and grain yield but had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on number of
pods per plant and 100-grain weight. Similarly, for millet, intercropping with groundnut had
significant (P < 0.05) effect on weight of millet head per plot and grain yield but had no
significant effect on 1000-grain weight. The yields of both millet and groundnut put together
demonstrated one of the advantages of intercropping as insuring against crop failures
Description
A thesis submitted to the post-graduate school,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Science in Crop Protection.
Department of Crop Protection
Faculty of Agriculture
Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria, Nigeria.
OCTOBER, 1997
Keywords
INSECT,, PEST POPULATION,, MILLET/,, GROUNDNUT CROPPING PATTERNS