Biological Science: Research Developments and Innovations Vol. 4

Vegetable production in Burkina Faso is severely constrained by insect pests, leading many farmers to rely heavily on synthetic pesticides, including unregistered products, with potential risks to human health and the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of locally available plant-based preparations, including Apichi, Kogle-zanga, and ash broth, for managing insect pests on chilli pepper, roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), and amaranth under field conditions in Loumbila, Burkina Faso. Field experiments were conducted using randomised complete block designs, and treatment effects were assessed based on pest damage, vegetative growth, and crop yield. In chilli pepper, Apichi provided the best protection against leaf and flower damage during the vegetative stage, while Kogle-zanga also showed promising efficacy. In roselle, the combined Apichi + ash broth treatment was the most effective, reducing leaf damage to 12.70 damaged leaves compared with 18.70 in the untreated control at 28 days after sowing and increasing leaf yield to 2.78 kg m⁻² compared with 0.50 kg m⁻² in the control. In amaranth, the highest Kogle-zanga rate (70 mL ha⁻¹) provided the greatest pest suppression and supported yields of approximately 1–2 t ha⁻¹. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of Apichi, Kogle-zanga, and ash broth as accessible alternatives to synthetic pesticides and highlight their potential contribution to more sustainable vegetable production in the Sudano-Sahelian region of Burkina Faso.