Anti-termitic properties of Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) on wood termites (Macrotermes bellicosus (Smeathman)

Abstract

The efficacy of Jatropha curcas in the management of wood termites, (Macrotermes bellicosus) was carried out in the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management. University of Calabar. The experiment consisted of 5 levels of J. curcas oil (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0) and a corresponding quantity in powder, replicated 4 times and arranged in Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD). Each concentration was tested on 20 unsexed adult wood termite placed in grave yard of 8cm x 8cm. Data on mortality rate was taken at 12 hourly up to 72 hours. The result from the experiment showed that J. curcas oil was significantly efficacious compared with J. curcas powder both in the field and in the laboratory. It was observed that there was progressive increase in mortality rate due to increased concentration and time duration. The management of termite using J. curcas should be encouraged due to its environmental friendliness and should also be incorporated into integrated pest management (IPM).

Keywords

• jatropha curcas
• macrotermes bellicosus
• oil
• powder
• mortality