Evaluating the Efficacy of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Chili (Capsicum spp.) Extracts for the Control of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Maize (Zea mays) Production in Zambia

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the staple crop in Zambia but is threatened by fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), a pest capable of causing major yield losses. Dependence on synthetic pesticides is increasingly unsustainable due to high costs, resistance development and environmental risks. This study evaluated neem (Azadirachta indica) and chili (Capsicum spp.) extracts, applied individually and in combination, under field conditions in Mulobezi District. A randomized complete block design with four treatments was set up using neem extract, chili extract, a neem–chili mixture, and an untreated control on maize variety SC 513. Extracts were prepared to standard concentrations and applied to the whorl, while data on larval mortality and foliar damage were analyzed using ANOVA in R version 4.2.0. The findings revealed that neem extract achieved the highest efficacy, with mortality above 65 percent and substantial reductions in leaf injury. Chili extract provided moderate control at about 40 percent, while the neem–chilli mixture showed no improvement over neem alone. The findings confirm neem as a reliable, affordable, and environmentally safe option for smallholder farmers, with chili serving as a supplementary measure. Promoting neem within Integrated Pest Management could reduce dependence on synthetic pesticides and strengthen food security in Zambia.