Effect of Insecticides and Cultivars on Eggplant Production in Nigeria

Field trial were conducted at Biu,Borno State during the 2008 and 2009 rainy seasons to study the reaction of three cultivars of eggplants to insecticide sprays against Eublemma olivacea (walk)infestation.The factorial experiment was laid in strip-split plot design,which consisted of three local eggplant cultivars(Biu Stripped,Biu White,and Biu Green), two insecticdes (endosulfan, neem seed aqueous extract)and untreated control, and three insecticide spray regimes at 2 weeks after transplanting(WAT)at seedling stage;at 2 and 4WAT i.e at seedling and flowering stages and at 2,4 and 8 WAT i.e at seedlings,flowering and fruiting stages.Each cultivar,insecticides and spray regime treatment were allocated to a plot of 2mx2m,replicated three times and randomized in each block.Endosulfan 35EC contain 0.30% active ingredient was applied at the rate of 30ml/20litre of water and neem seed aqueous extract was applied at the rate of 50g of neem seed powder in 1litre of water.Data on number of larvae of Eublemma olivacea/plot,fruit damage,percentage yield damage were recorded and analysed.Results show three spray regimes to be the spray regime that significantly lowered the number of larvae.