Efficacy of Moringa oleifera leaf powder against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on stored cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)
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Date
2013
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Abstract
Cowpea is a very important grain legume that serves as a source of dietary protein for human
consumption, however the grain is widely infested by a number storage insect pests among which Callosobruchus
maculatus is a primary field to store pest causing considerably great losses to farmers. Laboratory study was
conducted to assess the efficacy of Moringa oleifera leaf powder, used as protectant against C. maculatus F.
infesting stored cowpea. The bioassays were conducted at six levels of concentrations (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 2.0
g/20g seed) of test plant leaf powder and the untreated control (0g/20 g seed). All the different levels of
concentrations considerably reduced oviposition and emergence of F1 progeny compared to the control. The
mortality of the cowpea beetles was assessed at two days after infestation (2 DAI), 4 DAI, 6 DAI and 7 DAI and the
results indicated that the mortality increased with increasing amount of M. oleifera leaf powder, with concentration
of 2.0g /20g seed has significantly higher (p > 0.05) mortality compared to the control. Also, different level
concentrations significantly protected the seeds in relation to seed damage and seed weight loss caused by C.
maculatus compared to the control