Optimization of Anti-microbial and Pesticidal Efficacies of bio-slurry using Terminalia b. and Acanthaceae spp. extracts

Abstract

Abstract:-Over time, many plant pests have grown resistant to commercial pesticides. More pesticides are thus used to combat their effects leading to agricultural expenses and environmental pollution. Biogas slurry is known to have a natural pesticidal effect. This study aimed at analyzing the effects of using two indigenous biogas additives (Terminalia b. and Acanthaceae spp.) in hastening the antimicrobial and pesticidal activity of bioslurry. Kitchen waste was used as the biogas substrate for a retention period of 30 days. The extracts were characterized for pesticidal components before subjecting to antimicrobial analysis. Both gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (E. coli) bacteria along with Candida albicans fungus were used for antibacterial and antifungal tests respectively. In vitro efficacy tests were carried out on aphids and fall armyworms and the toxicity studies (acute dermal toxicity and acute dermal irritation) carried out on lab animals. The results indicated abundance of organophosphates with traces of chlorides, organochlorides and carbamates in the test samples. There was significant antifungal and antibacterial properties of the additive samples compared to the control sample (p ≤ 0.05, n= 8). The samples were effective in the control of aphids (Brassica alboglabra) as observed in the in vitro analysis. Suppression of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) was not satisfactory enough. The samples were dermally non-toxic, neither do they induce dermal irritation. Key words: pesticides, anti-microbes, bio-slurry, Terminalia b., Acanthaceae spp.