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.
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Claims 6
Claim · model-written summary
Neem extract gave the highest efficacy against fall armyworm larvae on maize, with mortality above 65 percent.
- Material
- SC 513e1
- Treatment
- neem extracte2
- Interactor
- fall armyworm
.jpg?width=60)
Spodoptera frugiperdae4pest - Outcome
- efficacye2
- Direction
- higheste2
- Value
- above 65 percente2
- Comparator
- untreated controle1
- Setting
- Mulobezi Districte3
Zea maysOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
.jpg?width=500)
Verbatim
e1“an untreated control on maize variety SC 513”
e2“The findings revealed that neem extract achieved the highest efficacy, with mortality above 65 percent and substantial reductions in leaf injury”
e3“under field conditions in Mulobezi District”
e4“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”
Claim · model-written summary
Chili extract gave moderate control of fall armyworm on maize, at about 40 percent.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e1“an untreated control on maize variety SC 513”
e5“Chili extract provided moderate control at about 40 percent”
Claim · model-written summary
The neem–chilli mixture showed no improvement in control over neem alone on maize.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e1“an untreated control on maize variety SC 513”
e6“while the neem–chilli mixture showed no improvement over neem alone”
Claim · model-written summary
Neem extract substantially reduced leaf injury on maize compared with the untreated control.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e1“an untreated control on maize variety SC 513”
e2“The findings revealed that neem extract achieved the highest efficacy, with mortality above 65 percent and substantial reductions in leaf injury”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors conclude that neem is a reliable, affordable and environmentally safe option for smallholder maize farmers.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e1“an untreated control on maize variety SC 513”
e7“The findings confirm neem as a reliable, affordable, and environmentally safe option for smallholder farmers”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors suggest promoting neem within Integrated Pest Management could reduce dependence on synthetic pesticides in maize production.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e1“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”
e2“Promoting neem within Integrated Pest Management could reduce dependence on synthetic pesticides and strengthen food security in Zambia”
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See all 53 papers →Claims are grouped by organism, treatment and what was measured or targeted. A paper counts as positive when any of its claims in the group is positive.