Comparative Effects of Selected Botanicals as Substitute for Synthetic Insecticide in Controlling Maize Weevils (Sitophilus Zeamais) in Stored Maize Grain

Fatimah Abdussalam & Azeez Adeniji , Volume 2 Issue 2, December 2021 Pages 18-24, Published: 2021-12-21

Abstract

A study was conducted to compare the efficacy of the powder of Aframomum melegueta, Cymbopogon citrates, Moringa oleifera and Actellic Dust Insecticide against adult Sitophilus zeamais in stored maize grain. Each of the treatments was admixed with 10maize grain and later infested with adult weevils. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30g of the plant powder and 0.2g of Actellic Dust Insecticide per 10grain was the ratio of mix. The treatments were kept in Petri-dishes in an incubator for a period of 96hrs. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design of 8 treatments and 3 replicates. The mortality of weevils to the plant powders and the synthetic powder were recorded. The highest percentage mortality of 80% was recorded in the plant powder at 25 and 30g dose respectively. The highest weevil mortality percentage recorded at 25 and 30g in all the plant treatments coincide with that recorded in the synthetic powder. Maize was not affected by weevil at doses 20 and 30g likewise at 0.2g of the synthetic powder. The results of the study show that all the botanicals were effective in the treatment and prevention of maize weevil from invading stored maize grain and their use could be adopted in prolonging the longevity of stored grains