ABSTRACT
This research study investigated the bio-efficacy of the aqueous extract of Dieffenbachia seguine Var. camille, as a potential solution for controlling field pests of Okra. Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, known in some English-speaking countries as lady’s fingers, belongs to the Malvaceae family and is a high-nutrition source vegetable (4550 kcal/kg) for humans. Its production is faced with a number of challenges; prominent among them is insect damage, which causes yield loss. In an attempt to decrease such yield losses, most farmers depend on synthetic insecticides to curb the menace of insect pest infestation, which has led to increased production costs, environmental pollution, and pesticide resistance. Okra seeds were obtained in Nihort, Ibadan. Fresh Dieffenbachia seguine Var. camille leaves were collected from the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology. Thirty experimental pots were prepared and divided into two groups, which are the controlled and treated pots. Leaves of Dieffenbachia seguine Var. camille were air-dried for 7 days in the screen house, then grinded and extracted using the cold extraction method for 5 hours. Germination was observed for seven days after planting. Application of the aqueous extract of Diffenbachia camille began after two weeks of planting. Field data recorded were germination, plant height, stem girth, and the number of leaves produced per plant. Percentage germination was high, and minimal differences in the average value of plant height, stem girth, and number of leaves were recorded. Field pests such as Hempitera sp., Colioptera sp., and Bemisia tabaci were recorded. Physiological parameters such as proline, chlorophyll, carotenoid, and lycopene were analyzed four weeks after the termination 13 of the application of an aqueous extract of Diffenbachia camille. The report shows that the proline content in leaves was minimal, while the chlorophyll, carotenoid, and lycopene content was minimally higher in the leaves of the treated plants. These imply that the aqueous extract had no negative influence on the physiology of the leaves in terms of stress and metabolic activities. A resurgence of whiteflies was observed after two weeks of the termination of the aqueous extract. It was concluded that the plant could be a possible alternate option in okra field pest management and also a sustainable approach for farmers as long as it is applied continuously
