Biochar-effect-on
Biochar effect on nematodes and insects population density, soil improvement and yield of okra
Biochar-effect-on
K. Osei1† , A. I. Adama1 , E. C. Tagoe2 and J. Sackey-Asante1
ABSTRACT
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is an economically valuable crop in Ghana for its culinary significance and income generation potential. Agricultural production worldwide is constrained by abiotic and biotic factors. Chemical fertilizers are usually used to solve soil infertility problems. However, chemical fertilizers are expensive and when applied continuously, degrade agricultural lands (Savci, 2012; Bhattacharyya et al., 2015). Biotic factors such as plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) and foliar insects have been implicated as major constraints to okra production (Asare-Bediako et al., 2014b). The attack of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) has been reported as the most serious, widespread and alarming which causes tremendous yield losses (Hussain et al., 2011; Kayani et al., 2013; Barros et al., 2014). Flea beetle (Podagrica spp.) is the most important insect pest of okra in Ghana and Nigeria (Obeng-Ofori & Sackey, 2003; AsareBediako et al., 2014a, Mobolade et al., 2014). It has been estimated that insect pests attack led to great reduction in okra yield (Echezona & Offordile, 2011).
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