Bioefficacy of Acetone Extract of Sida acuta and Xylopia aethiopica Against Bean Leaf Beetle of Black Turtle Beans

Abstract: Black turtle bean is a widely grown plant protein crop in the agro-ecological zone, where bean leaf beetles constitute a major constraint to its production and productivity. We evaluated the bioefficacy of Sida acuta and Xylopia aethiopica extracts against the target insect pest, the bean leaf beetle. This study aimed to profile bioactive constituents in acetone extracts of S. acuta and X. aethiopica and to test their effectiveness against bean leaf beetles on black turtle bean. Acetone extracts from S. acuta and X. aethiopica were subjected to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for the identification and characterization of their phytochemical constituents. Results revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, tannins, steroids, and quinones in both S. acuta and X. aethiopica. Quantitative assays confirmed that both botanicals contain appreciable levels of these bioactive compounds. Three black turtle bean plots, each measuring 80 ft by 40 ft, were established for the experiment. All plots were planted in the early season (17th April, 2025). The highest yield of black turtle beans occurred in the plot treated with S. acuta extract (43.87 kg), whereas the lowest yield was observed in the X. aethiopica-treated plot (34.75 kg). Both extracts markedly reduced bean leaf beetle numbers relative to the control treatment. We conclude that biopesticides derived from these botanicals can be exploited for their efficacy against diverse pests of black turtle bean under comparable conditions. Further research is recommended to isolate and evaluate additional active compounds from these species with potential as biopesticides. Keywords: Phytochemical Screening, Sida acuta, Xylopia aethiopica, bean leaf beetle and black turtle beans.