Potentials of Cow Dung Ash as Protectants of Cowpea Seeds against Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Fatima M Haruna,Mohammed Suleiman

doi:10.30560/as.v2n1p128

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to assess the protectant ability of cow dung ash (CDA) to cowpea seeds against Callosobruchus maculatus F. under laboratory conditions of 50-65% R.H and 28-32oC. The CDA at different rates of 0.625, 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, 10.00% (w/w) incorporated with cypermethrin powder at 0.625% were applied to 20 g of cowpea seeds in petri dishes. None of the ashes or cypermethrin was added to the control. Ten beetles were introduced into each of the petri dishes and covered with muslin cloth. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) and replicated three times. Effects of the treatments on adult mortalities as well as median lethal dose (LD50) of CDA against C. maculatus were determined. Adult emergence and weight losses in seeds treated with CDA at different doses were assessed. Findings of the study revealed that the adult mortality of C. maculatus among different CDA treatments differed significantly (p < 0.05) and ranged from 13.33 to 100.00% 72 hours after treatment (HAT). Results of the study also showed that LD50 of CDA against C. maculatus at 24 hours after treatment (HAT) was 5.51 % (w/w). No adults emerged from the treated seeds and weight losses were observed in those treated with the lowest dose and the control only. Therefore, CDA could be utilized to protect cowpea seeds from C. maculatus infestations during storage.

Highlights

Cowpea is highly palatable, very nutritious and relatively free from anti-metabolites. Shiringani and Shimelis (2011) reported that dried seeds of cowpea provide cheap source of proteins in many diets in the tropics and subtropics
3.1 Adult Mortality of Callosobruchus maculatus Exposed to cow dung ash (CDA)
Adult mortality of C. maculatus in cowpea seeds treated with different concentration of CDA varied

Summary

Introduction

Very nutritious and relatively free from anti-metabolites. Shiringani and Shimelis (2011) reported that dried seeds of cowpea provide cheap source of proteins in many diets in the tropics and subtropics. Shiringani and Shimelis (2011) reported that dried seeds of cowpea provide cheap source of proteins in many diets in the tropics and subtropics. The report further showed that cowpea seeds contain 22-33% protein, 60-66% carbohydrates, 5-6% fibre, 3.7-4.4% ash and 1.1-3% oil. Ojebode et al (2016) reported that C. maculatus is very destructive on account of its short life cycle. Their damage causes losses in weight, nutritional, commercial values of cowpea as well as viability of stored seeds (Suleiman, 2016). Larvae feed and develop inside the seed which become unsuitable for human consumption and when adults emerge they leave a neat circular exit hole. Each adult consumes approximately 25% of the seed from which it develops (Asawalam and Anaeto, 2014)

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Results