E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development
E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development Vol. 4 (5) pp. 072-078, August 2014; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2276-9897
Bioefficacity of the powder of Melia azedarach seeds and leaves against Callosobruchus maculatus, on cowpea seeds (Vigna unguiculata) in storage
Philippe Kosma 1 * , Bakop Roméo 1 , Djile Bouba 1 , Abdou Bouba Armand 1 , Goudoum Augustin 11 Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and By-Products, The Higher Institute of Sahel, University of Maroua (Cameroon), BP 46 Maroua, Cameroon.
2 Cowpea Section of Laboratory IRAD Maroua, Regional Center for Agronomic Research of Maroua (Cameroon), BP 33 Maroua, Cameroon.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: philippekosma@yahoo.fr
Accepted 23 July 2014
Abstract
Cowpea is a legume that participated in the food security in Cameroon. Despite its importance, more than 30 % of its production is lost between the harvest and consumption. The main insect pest of stored cowpea is Callosobruchus maculatus. The control strategy is based essentially on the use of chemicals products which are toxic, polluting and expensive. In the search for alternative to chemical control, this study was undertaken to evaluate the insecticide potential of seeds and leaves powder of Melia azedarach. Toxicity tests and insecticidal efficacy of M. azedarach were performed on 20 (seed weevils), using 6 doses of the powder of seeds and leaves applied in the jars containing 100 g of cowpeas. The control jars did not receive treatments. Mortality of C. macullatus weevils and the impact of powders M. azedarach were recorded after 96 h and 120 days of infestation. The germination capacity of the treated seeds was evaluated at the beginning and the end of the study. Doses of 2 g and 8 respectively of seed powder and M. azedarach sheets applied on 100 g of cowpea led a 100% of weevil’s mortality after 96 h. The results on the efficiency test show that at these same doses, treated seeds were not attacked during the four months of storage. Germination rate of cowpea seeds treated with 2 and 8 g of bio-insecticide powders were 99.75 and 99.5%, respectively. Seed and leaves powder of M. azedarach may be considered as a powerful bio-insecticide against insect pest of stored cowpea.
Keywords: Cowpea; Callosobruchus maculatus; Melia azedarach; mortality, Bioefficacity
[Download Article - PDF]