EFFECTS OF TYPE AND CONCENTRATION OF BOTANICAL INSECTICIDES (Balanite aegyptiaca, Allium sativum and Capsicum annum) IN THE CONTROL OF STORAGE PEST (Callosobruchus maculatus) OF COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata [L. Walp])

Abstract

Experiment was set up at the Parasitology/Entomology lab in the School of Agricultural Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Bali, to determine the “Effects of Type and Concentration of three Selected Botanical Insecticides in the Control of Storage Pest of Cowpea”. 120 small woollen bags were stocked with 1 kg of “Kanannado” cultivar of cowpea. Three types of botanical insecticides Vis Allium sativum, Capsicum annum and Balanite aegyptiaca were prepared and applied in 30 bags as treatments, each at varying concentrations of 1.5g, 2.5g and 3.5g for every 10 bags of the 3 biopesticides. The remaining 30 bags served as control. Equal number of incubated Callosobruchus maculatus were introduced into both treated and untreated bags and kept in separate storage compartments for a period of 3 months. Differences between the initial cowpea weight and the final weight after 3 months of storage provide the required data. The data were analysed using one-way ANOVA with the help of “R” statistical package. Tukey Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) was used for mean separation at p = 0.05. The results showed that the three botanical pesticides proved effective for the control of Callosobruchus maculatus at all the concentrations. However, Capsicum annum recorded the highest suppressing effect and was therefore, recommended for farmers in the locality.