@article{MAKHILLRJAS2007268764,
    title = {Field Evaluation of Neem (<I>Azadirachta indica</I> A. Juss) Products for the Management of Lepidopterous Stem Borers of Maize (<I>Zea mays</I> L.) in Calabar, Nigeria},
    journal = {Research Journal of Applied Sciences},
    volume = {2},
    number = {6},
    pages = {653-658},
    year = {2007},
    issn = {1815-932x},
    doi = {rjasci.2007.653.658},
    url = {https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?issn=1815-932x&doi=rjasci.2007.653.658},
    author = {D.A. Ukeh,S.O. Emosairue,I.A. Udo and},
    keywords = {Busseola fusca,Sesamia calamistis,crude neem oil,neem seed kernel extract,azadirachtin,maize},
    abstract = {Stem borers are the most important field insect pests of maize in the Calabar humid environment of southern Nigeria. Field experiments were conducted in April-July 2004 and 2005 to evaluate the efficacy of neem products for the management of <I>Busseola fusca</I> and <I>Sesamia calamistis</I> in maize plots. Five treatments namely; 3% Crude Neem Oil (3% CNO), 5% CNO, 3% Neem Seed Kernel Extract (3% NSKE), 5% NSKE and the untreated (control) were laid out in the randomized complete block design and replicated 5 times. The experiments showed that there were significant differences (p< 0.05) between neem-treated and the untreated plots in terms of grain yield and the mean number of stem borer larvae per plant. In 2004, the mean grain weight per plant (g) was 3% CNO (65.21), 5% CNO (72.16), 3% NSKE (67.44), 5% NSKE (74.41) and the untreated (45.15). During the 2005 trial, grain weights per plant were; 3% CNO (83.25), 5% CNO (77.82), 3% NSKE (77.57), 5% NSKE (82.6) and the untreated plots (46.15). In 2004, <I>B. fusca</I> had the least larval density per plant of 2.48 in 5% CNO and the highest density of 9.09 in the untreated, while <I>S. calamistis</I> had the least larval colonization of 2.33 in 5% CNO and 7.56 in the untreated plots. And in 2005, the least borer infestation of 2.32 and 2.15 per plant of <I>B. fusca</I> and <I>S.calamistis</I> were obtained from 5% CNO treated plots, respectively. Therefore, neem products offer desirable alternatives to using synthetic chemicals in agricultural systems where protection of the environment and preservation of beneficial organisms are important.}
    }