Efficacy of Azadirachtine and Allium Sativa Powder as Biopesticides of Beans Weevil (Callosobrunchus Maculatus) In Store Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

Abstract

In Nigeria, the loss that occur after harvest of food crop/produce can be considered as a major parameter of food insecurity. Azadirachtine (from Azadirachta indica tree) and Allium sativa (Garlic bulbs) are tested as biopesticides to explore the effectiveness of dry residues in control of beans weevil and extended life span of the produce during storing. A 3x3 factorial experiment was design in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with two replicated. The result of the study indicated that all the treatment has shown high repellence against beans weevils at different treatment rate (5,10,15gm) throughout the period of the research. However, there was no significance difference between 5, 10, and 15 grains for all the treatments including Azadirachtine, Allium sativa and combination of Azadirachtine and Allium sativa powders. The beans weevil mortality rate during 48 days of treatment with different amounts of Azadirachtine and Allium sativa powders shows high mortality rate of Callasobrunchus maculatus compared to the control. However, there was significant mortality rate recorded for each treatment during 48 days of storage. The highest mean mortality rate was recorded for Azadirachtine powder than the Allium sativa powder, and combination of Azadirachtine and Allium sativa powders. Therefore, this research concluded that Azadirachtine and Allium sativa powders can be used as effective insect repellents.