Management of Phytophthora Blight of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L. Hugh) Through the Use of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Plant Parts Aqueous Extracts

Abstract

This study is focused on the management of phytophthora blight, a fungal disease of “pigeon pea” by the application of some aqueous extracts of neem plant parts. The aim of the study was to manage the phytophthora blight of pigeon pea using the plant parts extract of neem. The study was conducted in the year, 2021, at the Demonstration Farms (both field and laboratory) of the Department of Crop Science and Technology, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The experiment was designed as Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five replications. Data on pigeon pea growth parameters and disease incidence and severity, were statistically analyzed by the use of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) software as outlined by Wahua. The means were separated for difference using the Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (FLSD). Results indicated that aqueous extract of neem seed application caused the tallest Pigeon pea height (103.30 cm), the highest number of pigeon pea leaves (99.40), the lowest phytophthora blight disease incidence (11.00%) and also the lowest phytophthora blight disease severity (1.00).