Evaluation of Some Potential Botanicals to Control Potato Tuber Moth, (Phthorimaea operculella) under Storage Condition at Bako, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Lantana camara, Eucalyptus globulus, Tagetus minuta, Pyrethrum flowers and Azaddiractha indica, were evaluated against potato tuber moth damage with two checks (Diazinon 60% EC and untreated check) at Bako Agricultural Research Center in 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 cropping seasons. A total of 21 huts (cottages) were constructed from locally available materials.   Inside each cottage (hut), 1m 2 bed was constructed 65 cm above the ground. Six hundred fifty (650) potato tubers were stored on the bed of each hut in two layers one over the other. The treatments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Plants powder and Diazinon 60% EC were applied respectively, at the rate of 50 gm / bed and 3.5ml / bed at two months’ interval. The treatments that showed promising effects were further advanced on a large bed (2m x3m). Three thousand nine hundred (3900) potato tubers were stored on large beds and 150gm powders were used for each bed. Evaluations were made at the interval of 15 days for 7 consecutive months. Analysis of variance showed that number of potatoes infested and damaged by potato tuber moth was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the Lantana camara, Eucalyptus globulus and Pyrethrum flowers than the other treatments, which are similar to standard check. From the study it can be concluded that Lantana camara, E. globulus andPyrethrum flowers can be used to protect seed potatoes from potato tuber moth damage in storage.