EFFICACY OF XYLOPIA AETHIOPICA (DUNAL) A. AND AFRAMOMUM MELEGUETA (ROSC) K. SCHUM. FRUIT ON SITOPHULIUS ZEA

Abstract

The power of combined powder of dried fruits of Xylopia aethiopica(Dunal) A. and Aframomum melegueta on the control of maize weevil Sitophulus zea were evaluated. The aim was to determine, their antifeedant potentials against the insect pests of stored maize. Oven dried fruits of X. aethiopica and A. melegueta was pulverized and mixed in equal proportion. Concentrations of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,and10g were mixed with 100g of healthy grain, and incubated for 14 days with 20 weevils in each. Each treatment plus the control (0.0g) were replicated five times and laid out randomly. Results showed that mortality and % mortality of weevils increased progressively with the powder concentrations and the exposure period. Within the 14 days of exposure, mortality and % mortality were 4, 20% in the control and all, 100% in the test treatments. Reduction in seed damage increased significantly with the powder concentration (P<0.05). Weevil perforation index (WPI) showed that the combined powder had high protectant activity and therefore could serve as an alternative to the conventional chemical insect pesticides.

Key Words: Xylopia aethiopica,  Aframomum  melegueta,  Sitophulus  zea,  combined powder.