Effects of False Yam (Icacina oliviformis) tuber extracts at different soaking days on the mortality of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)

Fall armyworm has been identified to be one of the most damaging insect pests that attack maize plants at different developmental stages. Laboratory studies were carried out at the University for Development Studies in Ghana to identify the effects of False Yam tuber extracts at different soaking days on the mortality of fall armyworm, in an attempt to find ecologically friendly control measure to the pest. Using the leaf dip method of treatment application, the mortality of fall armyworm (FAW) was significantly affected (P<0.005) by extracts obtained from the different number of soaking days of false yam tubers in water and duration of exposure of fall armyworm to the extracts. After 24hrs of treatment application, T4 (8 days soaking) recorded the highest percentage FAW mortality of 23.3% this was significantly different from T1 (8 days soaking) which recorded the least percentage FAW mortality of 3.33%. Both treatments T3 (4 days soaking) and T4 (6 days soaking) obtained from soaking false yam tubers in water for 6 and 8 days respectively recorded the highest percentage mean mortality of 100% each after 72hrs of fall armyworm exposure to the treatments. The different treatments recorded increased in FAW mortality as the duration of exposure of the FAW to the treatments increased, with 24hrs exposure time recording the least percentage mortalities. The study provides alternative measures to curb the devastating effects of FAW invasion in the field.