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Abstract
Post-harvest losses due to insect pest infestation in storage constitute a challenge to sustainable food security and economic losses to farmers throughout the world. Use of synthetic chemicals have been the most effective means of reducing losses in storage. Unfortunately, these toxicants have adverse effects in humans and the environment. There is renewed search for safer plant products as alternatives. In this study, we assessed the potential use of Piper guineense seed oil in the control of cowpea bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) infestation on stored cowpea seeds. Adult mortality, oviposition rate, F1 progeny emergence, cowpea seed damage and seed germinability were the indices considered in the assessment under laboratory conditions. The setup of the experiment was completely randomized design (CRD). Statistical analysis of the data was by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Adult C. maculatus mortality was dose-dependent with higher dosages inducing 100% mortality. The number of eggs laid on the treated seeds were significantly (P<0.001) reduced. Progeny emergence and feeding damage were completely inhibited at higher dosages. The seed oil has no adverse effect on cowpea seed viability. The results indicated that P. guineense seed oil has protectant potential against insect pest damage in storage and a good alternative to synthetic insecticides in the control of insect pest of stored products.
Highlights
The infested seeds were placed in a plastic container and covered with muslin cloth which was held in place with rubber bands in order to allow sufficient air into the container, till the emergence of adults
All dosages of the oil significantly (P
The potency of P. guineense has been attributed to piperine, the main active principle in the edible seed, which acts as a neurotoxin in insects (Scott et al 2008)
Summary
Storage insect pests are responsible for substantial damage in stored seeds, such as dry weight losses, reduced nutritional qualities, seed viability reduction and low market value. Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) is a principal insect pest of stored cowpea seeds and can cause significant reduction in quality and quantity of seeds within 3-5 months of storage (IIeke et al 2012). The insect is a cosmopolitan field-to-store pest as its infestation of cowpea often begins in the field while the mature pods dry (Murdock et al 2003) and multiplies very rapidly in storage where it causes very high losses (Murdock et al 2003; Ojo et al 2013). Effective control measure is of paramount importance in order to avert adverse consequences due to insect pests damage to stored products and ensure steady food supply for the teeming world population
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