Comparative insecticidal properties of palm oil mill effluent (POME) against Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Abstract

Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), (50% and 100%) were respectively tested for Insecticidal efficacy in the control of Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) under field conditions in comparison to Chlorpyriphos 20% Ec (a synthetic Pyrethroid), The populations of S. rubrocinctus from forty Cashew plants on four experimental plots were recorded weekly for 12 months. Three plots had treatments while one plot contained untreated trees for control. The recorded monthly mean population of S. rubrocinctus was subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Results showed that the mean population per experimental plot was significantly highest (p0.05) in the Thrips population recorded for treatment plots of 50% POME, 100% POME and the synthetic Pyrethroid. There is supporting evidence from this study to indicate that POME might possess some insecticidal properties against S. rubrocinctus and appears suitable as an alternative to synthetic chemical insecticides. POME combines affordability with availability and most importantly, biodegradability.