Field Efficacy of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) for Managing Soil Arthropods and Cercospora Leaf Spots Damage for Increased Yield in Peanut.

Field efficacy of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) for managing soil arthropods and Cercospora leaf spots damage to peanut was studied in Ghana from 2008 to 2010. Treatments consisted of neem kernel water extract (NKWE) and neem kernel powder (NKP) applied separately as soil drench at the rates of 10.5 and 21.0 kg/ha at either planting or pegging. Untreated control and chlorpyrifos treatment at pegging were included as checks. Results showed generally that the neem products at the concentrations tested were efficacious and comparable to chlorpyrifos in lowering populations of soil arthropods and severity of leaf spot diseases, leaf defoliation, and scarified and bored pod damage, resulting in increased pod yield in 2008 and 2009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]