Abstract
The study investigated the effectiveness of Prosopis africana and Ficus mucoso ethanolic leave extract in the control of Callosobruchus maculatus infesting cowpea. Treatments were applied at different concentrations (10 %, 30 % , 50 %, and 0 %) on cowpea. Five pairs of newly emerged adult C. maculatus were introduced into each treatment. The two botanicals were evaluated on the insecticidal effects it has on the insect and data were recorded on adult mortality, oviposition rate, larvae, pupae, and adult emergence, seed viability, and phytochemicals present in both botanicals. Results revealed that both treatments had insecticidal potentials, adversely reducing the number of eggs, larvae, and pupae of C. maculatus with P. africana having the highest mean mortality rate at 50 % concentration. Observations further indicated that the botanicals had no negative effect on seed viability. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of some bioactive compounds such as terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponin, steroids, and tannin, P. africana mostly rich in them than F. mucoso. Though both extracts were effective, P. africana performed better in the control of the bruchid beetle indicating plausible usefulness in sustainable pest management by smallholder farmers and consumers of cowpea in environments where the plants are in abundance.
Highlights
Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp (Cowpea), is an important legume crop in the tropics, and ensures the provision of plant-based protein for most people and the fixation of nitrogen into the soils (Umeozor, 2005)
At 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after treatment (HAT) both P. africana and F. mucoso had the most significantly highest rate of C. maculatus mortality at the concentration level of 50 % when compared to the control which had the least
At 24, 48 and 72 HAT, P. africana had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher mortality rate of the mean 5.650 ± 0.365, 12.623 ± 0.205 and 13.359 ± 0.025 respectively when compared to F. mucoso which was lower at the mean numbers of 1.541 ± 0.234, 5.600 ± 0.300 and 10.863 ± 0.044 respectively
Summary
Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp (Cowpea), is an important legume crop in the tropics, and ensures the provision of plant-based protein for most people and the fixation of nitrogen into the soils (Umeozor, 2005). Among the constraining biotic factors are insect pests (Swella & Mushobozy, 2007) mainly due to infestation by the cowpea bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) which is a cosmopolitan field-to-store pest, and has been ranked as the principal post-harvest pest of cowpea especially in the tropics. It causes substantial qualitative and quantitative losses, manifested by seed perforation, and reductions in mass, market value, and germination ability of seeds. Toxic residual insecticides have been used routinely for many years to control insect pests in stored grain. The use of chemical insecticides is fast becoming less desirable because of the resistance in major insects, regulatory restrictions on the use of insecticides, awareness of environmental pollution, the increasing cost of insecticides, erratic supplies, worker’s safety and, consumer desire for a pesticide-free product, which has led to pest management specialists reappraising natural products for potential usage (Haghtalab et al, 2009)
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