Effect of Jatropha curcas L. and Capsicum annum L. Extracts on Date Palm termite (f)

Abstract

This study was carried out in the Fruit Nursery in the College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Shambat. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of red pepper (Capisicum annum) and Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) extracts in comparison with a standard insecticide Chlomight on date palm termite Microtermes traegardhi (Sjoestedt). Three concentrations (1%, 1.5 % and 2%) of both red pepper and Jatropha extracts were tested in comparison with Chlomight 1% EC on Pieces of mousky wood (Pinus sp.) measuring 30×5×2 cm. The wood pieces were dipped in the treatment materials for about 5 minutes and were left to dry for about 30 minutes. Each wood piece was vertically buried in the soil to a depth of 20cm so that about 10 cm remained above ground level. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) with four replicates. The results indicated that the red pepper and Jatropha extracts were effective in reducing termites damage to the wood pieces. Red pepper extracts 2% were more effective than the Jatropha seed extracts 2%. The least infested was recorded on wood pieces treated with red pepper extracts of 2% concentrations followed by 2% concentrations of Jatropha. Chlomight 1% gave the best results with no infestation within 5 weeks. The highest infestation was recorded on untreated (control) wood pieces, 5 weeks after treatment.