Evaluating The Effects Of Indigenous Cowpea Weevil CallosobruchusRhodesianus Management Methods On Stored Cowpea

ABSTRACT: The insecticidal properties of Combretumimberbe ashes, leaf powders of Carica papaya, Eucalyptusspp, Lonchocarpuscapassa, and Capsicum spp were evaluated to determine the efficacy and optimize their use in reducing cowpea losses to Callosobruchusrhodesianus. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the proportion of cowpea weevil damaged seeds from the various indigenous management methods, evaluate cowpea weevil fertility and effect on germinability. Two farmer preferred cowpea varieties IT18 and CBC2 placed in 10 cm × 20 cm mutton bags were infested with 10 newly emerged sexed Callosobruchusrhodesianusadults and subjected to indigenous insect management methods in a randomized complete block design. There were highly significant differences (P < 0.001) between the treatment methods, varieties and counts. Actellic dust a standard control had 67 eggs which was about ten times more effective than the most effective indigenous method, Combretumimberbe. The control treatment without any protectant had the greatest number of emergent holes 304.2, which, was 186.8 more than Combretumimberbe which was the most effective indigenous method. Pepper was the second best management method having nine times more holes than Combretumimberbe ashes. Eucalyptus leaf powder was the least effective of all the indigenous methods evaluated. There was a strong positive (P < 0.001) correlation (0.81) between number of eggs and holes in the cowpea seeds. Variety IT18 always had a higher germination percentage irrespective of the method of management used. Overall, the study observed that protecting stored cowpea using Combretumimberbeat small holder level is the best method.