Advanced Research Journal of Microbiology  ISSN 1718-3499 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 083-091, October,  2017.  © Advanced Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

Effect of culture density of black nightshade (Solanum Nigrum) on the insect infestation

Asseng CC^1*, Tiako TEA¹, Okolle J³, Ambang Z², Monkam TF¹.

¹Laboratory of Plant Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Douala (Cameroon), P.O.Box 24157 Douala, Cameroon.

²Department of Plant Biology, Laboratory of Phytopathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde, P.O.Box 812 Yaounde, Cameroon.

³Institut de Recherche Agricole pour le Développement  d'Ekona, P.O.Box 25 Buéa,  Cameroon.

Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]

Accepted 29 Septembre ,2016

Abstract 

Leafy vegetables to which the black nightshade belongs occupy an important place in the world economy and contribute effectively to food security. But their culture is limited by the aggressiveness of pests and diseases. The study was based on a trial in the field in the experimental plots of IRAD-Ekona. Four density levels (T1, T2, T3 and T4) respectively corresponding to distances: random, 20cm x 20cm, 30cm x 30cm, 40cm x 25cm were tested. The results obtained and presented here show that in general, S. nigrum is strongly attacked by three types of insects: aphids, black ants and whiteflies. The citation order marks the order of importance of the attack. Indeed, when the culture densities are large (20cm x 20cm or random), S. nigrum is subject to many attacks. Culture density positively influences certain growth parameters (p ≤ 5%) and the yield of all varieties studied. The high densities (T1 and T2) are an ideal ecosystem for the attraction and development of insects; major disease vectors. The T3 treatment (30cm x 30cm) could be recommended to farmers to improve cultivation techniques and effectively increase their yield. 

Keywords: Solanium Nigrum, densities, insect, infestation, yield.