EFFECTS OF MINERAL FERTILIZATION AND MUCUNAPRURIENS ON PEST PRESSURE AND YIELD IN COTTON CROPS (GOSSYPIUM SPP.) IN SOUTH-CENTRAL BENIN
Gaston Codjo Ouikoun
, Omotola A. Adegoke
, Kotchikpa Justin Ekpo
, Florentyalinkpon
, Codjo Emile Agbangba
and Daniel Chougourou
- National Institute of Agricultural Research of Benin (INRAB).
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquee (LaRBA), Unite de Recherche en Biostatistique, Processus Spatiaux et Invasions Biologique (UR-BioPSIB), Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi (EPAC), University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 2009 Cotonou, Benin.
- Laboratory of Bioengineering of Food Processes (LABIOPA), Faculty of Agronomic Sciences (FSA), University of Abomey-Calavi, BP 2526 Cotonou, Benin.
- Laboratoire de Biomathematiques et d Estimations Forestieres (LABEF), Faculty of Agronomic Sciences (FSA), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 04 BP 1525 Cotonou, Benin.
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi (EPAC), University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
- Abstract
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Cotton (Gossypium spp.) occupies a prominent place in the Beninese economy, but pest pressure management remains one of the major constraints of the sector. This study aims to evaluate the comparative effect of mineral fertilization alone (FR) and its combination with Mucunapruriens residues (FRME) on pest diversity and cotton yield in South-Central Benin. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete Fisher block design with two treatments and four replications. Results showed that pest species richness was identical (8 species), but the Shannon diversity index was lower under FRME (1.10) than under FR (1.6), indicating a less balanced community. Abundance analysis revealed a generalized suppressive effect of FRME, reducing the total number of pests by 22.3%. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were observed for several key pests: Anomisflava and Amrascabiguttula (foliage-feeding pests), as well as Cryptophlebialeucotreta, Helicoverpaarmigera, and Dysdercusvolkeri (fruit organ pests) had their populations significantly reduced under FRME. Finally, the FRME treatment generated a statistically significant yield gain of 194.5 kg/ha (p = 0.0462) compared to the FR control.This study demonstrates that the incorporation of Mucunapruriens can simultaneously reduce the abundance of several important pests and increase yield, thus offering a promising strategy for more sustainable cotton production.
[Gaston Codjo Ouikoun, Omotola A. Adegoke, Kotchikpa Justin Ekpo, Florentyalinkpon, Codjo Emile Agbangba and Daniel Chougourou (2025); EFFECTS OF MINERAL FERTILIZATION AND MUCUNAPRURIENS ON PEST PRESSURE AND YIELD IN COTTON CROPS (GOSSYPIUM SPP.) IN SOUTH-CENTRAL BENIN Int. J. of Adv. Res. (Nov). 309-317] (ISSN 2320-5407). www.journalijar.com
National Institute of Agricultural Research of Benin (INRAB)
Benin
