Show abstract

DETERMINATION OF THE POTENTIAL OF VARYING CONCENTRATIONS OF TICK BERRY (LANTANA CAMARA) AS A BIO-PESTICIDE AND BIO-HERBICIDE AGAINST BIOTIC STRESSES IN RED CREOLE ONION VARIETY, KULUBA SUBCOUNTY, KOBOKO DISTRICT, UGANDA

The overall objective of this study was to determine the potential of varying concentrations of tick berry extracts as a bio-pesticide and bio-herbicide against biotic stresses in red creole onion variety in Kuluba subcounty, Koboko district. A completely randomized block experimental design was set up with three treatments (25gl-1, 50gl-1 and 75gl-1) and a control. Data was collected for a period of four weeks for two seasons from ten plants per plot. Data was collected on onion pests, onion diseases and weed occurrence after application of tick berry extracts. Initial vegetation analysis was done on the experimental field before application of bio-herbicide to assess the diversity of the weed species in the area. Generally, application of the extracts of tick berry non-significantly (P˃0.05) reduced the incidence of onion pests, the severity of onion diseases and the occurrence of weeds. The concentration of 75gl-1 was found to reduce the incidence of onion thrips, onion maggots, allium leaf miners and turnip moths. The concentration of 75gl-1 lowered the severity of purple blotch disease, Irish yellow spot virus, downy mildew and botrytis leaf blight. Furthermore, the concentration of 75gl-1 reduced the weed infestation percentage and had the highest weed control efficiency. The use of tick berry extracts (75gl-1) is highly recommended as a biopesticide to help reduce the incidence and severity of onion pests and diseases. The use of tick berry extracts (75gl-1) are highly recommended for use as a bio-herbicide due to their proven ability to reduce the occurrence of weeds. More research should be conducted on the use of allelopathic plant extracts in the control of weeds inorder to reduce on the negative impacts to both the humans and the environment as a result of use of synthetic chemicals.

more details

Author: yada simeo
Contributed by: asbat digital library
Institution: uganda martyrs university
Level: university
Sublevel: post-graduate
Type: dissertations