YVAN CEDRIC BATOUM1, ASTRIDE STEPHANIE MOUAFI DJABOU1*, GERTRUDE MEMBANG1,2 & JAMES MICHEL TCHOUMI TCHOTET1,2
1Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Science, University of Dschang, Cameroon
2Innovative Plant Health Laboratory, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon
*Corresponding author: astride.djabou@univ-dschang.org
Received: 28 Jan 2026, Reviewed: 24 Mar 2026, Revised: 05 Jun 2026, Accepted: 07 Jul 2026, Published: 07 Sep 2026
https://doi.org/10.63342/cjbbs2026.34.012.en
ABSTRACT
The nematode (Radopholus similis) and the black weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus) are two major threats to banana production. Current pest-control strategies are primarily based on synthetic chemicals, which are associated with environmental risks and substantial costs. The aim of this study was to assess the nematocidal and insecticidal potential of neem leaf extract and neem oil against nematodes and the black weevil affecting banana (Musa acumiata, var. Cavendish ‘William’) production. Treatments included a negative control (water), a positive control (fosthiazate), three levels of fermented neem leaf extracts (fermented for 10, 15, and 20 days), and three levels of neem oil (at 10%, 15%, and 20%) application. The effects of treatments on nematode and weevil populations as well as on plant growth were assessed in nursery conditions. In another set of experiments, the repellence and the anti-feeding in vitro activities of these neem derivative products were evaluated. Results showed a significant reduction in C. sordidus populations with 10-day fermentation neem leaf extract. A complete elimination of R. similis was observed with 15% and 20% neem oil solutions, with no significant difference (P < 0.001) in pseudostem damage compared to the application of the chemical treatment based on fosthiazate. In addition, the application of 20% neem oil showed a positive effect on the vegetative growth of the banana plant. The in vitro test of neem-derived products on black weevil revealed strong repellence and insecticidal activities of neem oil compared to neem leaf extracts. Further evaluation in field conditions with farmers would help to support these observations before the recommendation of neem products for their integration into pest management in banana production.
Keywords: Banana production, black weevil, neem oil, neem leaf extract, nematode repellence.
RÉSUMÉ
Le nématode (Radopholus similis) et le charançon noir (Cosmopolites sordidus) constituent deux menaces majeures pour la production bananière. Les méthodes de lutte contre ces ravageurs reposent principalement sur l’utilisation des produits chimiques de synthèse, qui ont un coût plus élevé mais produisent aussi un impact négatif sur l’environnement. Cette étude visait à évaluer le potentiel nématicide et insecticide des extraits de feuilles de neem fermentées et de l’huile de neem contre le nématode et le charançon noir affectant la production de banane (Musa acuminata, var. Cavendish ‘Williams’). Les traitements incluaient un témoin négatif (eau), un témoin positif (fosthiazate), trois niveaux d’extraits de feuilles de neem fermentées (pendant 10, 15 et 20 jours), et trois concentrations d’huile de neem (10%, 15% et 20%). Les effets des traitements sur les populations de nématodes et de charançons, ainsi que sur la croissance des plantes, ont été évalués en conditions de pépinière. Par ailleurs, les activités répulsives et anti-alimentaires de ces produits dérivés du neem ont été évaluées in vitro. Les résultats ont montré une réduction significative des populations de C. sordidus avec les extraits de feuilles de neem fermentés pendant 10 jours. Par ailleurs, une élimination complète de R. similis a été observée avec les solutions d’huile de neem à 15% et 20%, sans différence significative de dommages sur la pseudo-tige par rapport au traitement chimique à base de fosthiazate. De plus, l’application d’huile de neem à 20% a eu un effet positif sur la croissance végétative des plants de banane. Les tests in vitro des produits dérivés du neem sur le charançon noir ont révélé une forte activité répulsive et insecticide de l’huile de neem par rapport aux extraits de feuilles. Une évaluation supplémentaire en conditions de champ avec les agriculteurs permettrait de confirmer ces observations avant de recommander ces sous-produits du neem et leur intégration dans la gestion des ravageurs en production bananière.
Mots-clés : Production bananière, charançon noir, huile et extraits de feuilles de neem, répulsion des nématodes.
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