Control Options for Banana Weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus) and Termites (Microtermes spp.) on Banana and Plantain (Musa spp.) in Nigeria

Cost implications and lack of knowledge for ideal pest control practices are among the major factors limiting banana and plantain (Musa spp.) production in Nigeria. A trial was designed to control banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus), a major insect pest, and termites (Microtermes spp.), an occasional pest, by low-cost methods. The main plot treatments included the cultivars TMPX 5295 and TMPX 7152-2 (AAA genotypes) and 'Agbagba' and 'Red Ogoni' (AAB genotypes). Treatment combinations of mulching with neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves, application of poultry manure, and minimal application of insecticide (chlorpyrifos) constituted the subplot. The split-plot trial was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Numbers of weevils and termites were monitored in 2004 and 2005. Significantly lower weevil numbers were observed in plots treated with insecticide or neem mulch (with or without manure) compared with the untreated control (with or without manure). Weevil and termite numbers observed in insecticide treated plots were not significantly lower than those in the neem mulched plots during the plant or first ratoon crops. Significantly higher weevil larvae numbers were observed in the control plants (2.2 plant -1 ) compared with those that received insecticide or neem mulch applications (maximum 0.4 plant -1 ). In the first ratoon crop, significantly lower numbers of adult weevils and larvae were observed in cultivars with an AAA genotype than in the Red Ogoni cultivar. Cultivar had no significant effect on termite infestations. The interaction of treatments and cultivars significantly (P<0.05) reduced weevil number in the crop but did not reduce termite numbers. Significantly higher mean total fruit yields (minimum 15 t ha -1 ) were obtained from the insecticide and neem treated plants compared with the control (maximum 11 t ha -1 ) at the end of the first ratoon crop. The treatments showed prospect in the control of banana weevils.