Synergistic effect of packaging materials and methanolic extract of Myrianthus arboreus on the control of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae).

Oladipupo SO, Osunyemi OS, Aja

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the role of packaging materials in the bio efficacy of Myrianthus arboreus to cowpea weevils, Callosobruchus maculatus. 300 g of cowpea seeds was weighed into a 12 cm diameter packaging material of jute, hessian sack, and polythene bag. An aliquot of 5 ml of the plant extract were thoroughly mixed with the aid of glass rod and left for two months prior to the introduction of the cowpea bruchids. For the control, the set up was similar with the treatments except that no plant material was used. The experiment was replicated three times for both the control and the treatments. Data on seed damage, egg count, and mortality were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The relationship between packaging materials used and M. arboreus was investigated using independent T-test. The results demonstrated that treated seeds kept in packaging materials have the potential to protect cowpea seeds from insect damage compared to when seeds were not stored in packaging materials. Such practices should therefore be considered for inclusion in pest management strategies in grains stored on-farm areas where modern storage implements are lacking.