Efficacy of Endjululu-Kapassarinho (Datura Stramonium) in controlling fall armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) in corn (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The work aimed of analyzing the effectiveness of extracts obtained from the different plant parts of Endjululu-Kapassarinho (Datura Stramonium) in controlling the third instar cartridge caterpillar (Spodoptera frugiperda) in maize (Zea mays L.). Research into biological control methods is emerging as a prime alternative to bio-insecticides. This is a qualitative-quantitative trial, conducted in the Chemistry laboratory of the Instituto Superior Politécnico of Cuanza Sul and Instituto Técnico Agrário to Waku Kungo, from January to June 2023. For the study, vegetative parts of the Edjululu-Kapassarinho plant were collected, crushed and the concentrations formed: T0=0ml, T1=20ml, T2=40ml, T3=60ml, T4=80ml and T5=100ml. Using the zigzag routing method, the caterpillars were collected and then fasted for two hours before being placed in the treatment concentrations of each vegetative part for observation at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours respectively. Caterpillar mortality increased after 24 hours at all concentrations, showing 98% mortality with the leaf-based extract, 96% with the stem-based extract, 90% with the fruit-based extract and 79% with the root-based extract. In view of the results, the aqueous plant extracts of the Endjululu-Kapassarinho plant (Datura Stramonium) proved to be efficient in controlling the cartridge caterpillar, with the leaf-based extract, and is the effective extract for controlling the cartridge caterpillar in the maize crop, ecological, preserving the environment.