Influence of The Colors of Insect Nets on Growth Parameters and Physicochemical Properties of Guinea Sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) in Northern Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Guinea sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is a vegetable crop whose leaves, calyces, and seeds are used in human nutrition. However, it is susceptible to attacks by insect pests that reduce yields. To mitigate this, insect-proof nets of different colors are used as an alternative to chemical control. The general objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the effect of the colors of insect-proof nets on the growth and physicochemical parameters of Guinea sorrel. The study was conducted during the rainy season (RS), the cool dry season (CDS), and the hot dry season (HDS). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with six treatments and four replications with a single factor irrespective of the cropping season. The following treatments: untreated control without net, chemical insecticide without net, black net, white net, green net, and biological insecticide without net, were randomly allocated to the experimental units. The results showed that black and green insect-proof nets limited plant growth during both the HDS and RS. In contrast, under the white insect-proof nets during the HDS, good plant growth was observed, notably with significant leaf production. The lower light levels observed under the insect-proof nets compared to plots without nets led to a reduction in physicochemical activity, in particular, lower carbohydrate and protein production in the leaves of the Guinea sorrel plants. Variations in light intensity during the growing seasons influenced the effects of insect nets on the growth of Guinea sorrel plants.