Abstract
The bioactivity of turmeric, garlic and curry oil and powder were evaluated and compared against maize storage pest, Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) at 28+20C and relative humidity (r.h.) 65+5% in the laboratory. Ten pairs of newly emerged weevils were introduced separately into each of the plastics containing 20 g maize seed treated with plant oil at different concentrations, 0.25%, 0.50% and 1.00% v/v and similarly plant powder at dosage levels of 0.25 g, 0.50 g and 1.00 g of the tested plant parts. Each treatment, including the control comprised four replicates which were laid out 3×3 factorial arrangements in a completely randomized design. Results indicated that oil and powder of curry, and turmeric evoked significant mortality (82.50%) and (81.00%), while garlic powder is equally effective (72.00%) in achieving mortality of the weevil. There was an appreciable reduction in means of exit hole and percent seed damage in treated maize seeds at 0.50% and 1.00% concentrations. Curry had exit hole (12.25 &11.00), turmeric had (12.75&11.75); also lower seed damage was recorded in curry (11.00% & 21.75%), while turmeric had (20.75% &31.00%). There was however corresponding high percent undamaged seed recorded in curry (89.00% & 78.25%) and turmeric (79.25% & 73.25%). All the plant parts tested reduced weight loss in the stored maize seeds when compared with the control. Adult mortality significantly correlated with exit hole (r = 0.381), seed damage (r = 0.0509) and undamaged seed (r = -0.0643). Therefore, 0.50% was lowest concentration at which control was achieved.
Highlights
Maize was first grown by people in ancient Central America, though introduced into Africa by the Portuguese in the 16th century, where it becomes the most important staple food crop (Felix, 1997) [21]
Major sources of starch in industrialize food products, plastics, fabric, adhesives and many other losses of 30-80% in storage caused by S. zeamais have been estimated for many areas (De-Lima, 1987) [14], around 5 – 10% in the temperate zone and 20 – 30% in the tropical zone (Rahman and Talukder, 2006; Rajendran and Sriranjini, 2008) [38]
The quality of grains and seeds during storage depends on various factors such as crop or variety, initial seed quality, storage conditions, seed moisture content, insect pests, bacteria and fungi (Amruta et al, 2015) [6]
Summary
Maize was first grown by people in ancient Central America, though introduced into Africa by the Portuguese in the 16th century, where it becomes the most important staple food crop (Felix, 1997) [21]. Major sources of starch in industrialize food products, plastics, fabric, adhesives and many other losses of 30-80% in storage caused by S. zeamais have been estimated for many areas (De-Lima, 1987) [14], around 5 – 10% in the temperate zone and 20 – 30% in the tropical zone (Rahman and Talukder, 2006; Rajendran and Sriranjini, 2008) [38]. Such damage may reach up to 40% in countries where modern storage technologies have not been introduced and climate conditions are favorable (Shaaya et al, 1997) [41]. Reduction of storage losses could be Each plant material
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