BIOPESTICIDES

Biopesticides, often known as biological pesticides, are compounds made from biological agents that control agricultural pests to increase crop yields. The general aim of using the term biopesticide is to suggest a biological rather than a synthetic origin of the active agent, and implicit is a level of environmental and mammalian safety resulting from the use of naturally derived active. Telfairia occidentalis is an edible vegetable that is high in protein, vitamins, iron, calcium, and other nutrients that are necessary for a healthy diet. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of biopesticides on Telfairia occidentalis. This study was grouped into seven (7) biopesticides options compared to the control which no biopesticide was applied to. The biopesticides includes (Grinded pepper, garlic, and soap), (Grinded pepper and garlic), (Pepper, garlic and soap), (Pepper and garlic), (Neem oil and soap), (Neam oil) and lastly (Firewood ash). This study was carried out within 13 weeks, and the study was on different aspects of the plant growth which includes the plant height, the number of primary branches, leaf area, petiole length, tendril length, number of leaves, internodes, leaf chlorosis occurrence, and percentage of forage leaves. Across all aspects of the growth the Telfairia occidentalis treated with the biopesticides had significant increase compared to the control, which simply indicates positive effects across all. This study indicates that the biopesticides used are good pest control agents as a result of the growth and the good health of the plant. Asides from the fact that most of these biopesticides are good pest controlling agents, some are also a good agent for soil PH correction such firewood ash, and this also contributed to the growth and healthy profile of Telfairia occidentalis in the study.