Management of Insect Pests of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) Using Oxymatrine-based Insecticide

A field trial was undertaken to evaluate the insecticidal potency of Levo (a. i. Oxymatrine) botanical insecticide for the management of insect pests of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L Moench). Podagrica uniformis Jacoby, P. sjostedti Jacoby, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), and Aphis gossypii (Glover) were identified as insect pests that attack okra in the study area. There were significant differences in Podagrica spp., B. tabaci and A. gosspyii densities between insecticide-treated and the control plots. No significant differences were obtained between insecticide-treated and the control in terms of fruit yield. Defoliation by Podagrica spp. was significantly different among treatment plots. The study showed that Levo was as effective as Lambda super (a. i. lambda cyhalothrin) and can be recommended as a substitute for the management of insect pests of okra.