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ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to assess the extent of leaf beetle infestation on okra under varying plant populations. The experiment was conducted in the Teaching and Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin city, Edo state, during the late cropping season of 2024. Six treatments namely: 40×25×1, 40×25×2, 40×25×3, 50×25×1, 50×25×2, 50×25×3 plant spacing and number of plants per stand were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), and were replicated four times with treatment plots measuring 2m×2.5m separated; by 0.5m. Data collection on leaf damage and plant damage was carried out weekly beginning from two weeks after sowing (WAS) to ten WAS. Data obtained was analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results indicated that plant population did not significantly (P > 0.05) influence leaf beetle infestation. Leaf beetle infestation was highly significant (P < 0.001) across the weeks, with highest percentage of damaged plant (88.0%) and highest percentage of damaged leaves (46.0%) recorded at seven (7) WAS. Plant spacing and number of plant per stand did not affect leaf beetle infestation. However, higher plant damage was recorded at higher stages of the plant despite weekly insecticide application.
