Perforation index assessment of Maize seeds treated with some Agro wastes Powder against maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) [Coleoptera: Curculionidae]

Ileke, K. D
This research evaluated the toxicity of five agro wastes (cowpea seed coats, melon shells, plantain, banana and cassava peels,) on maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais). Powders were tested at dose 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0g/ 20g of maize seeds. Parameters that were evaluated include adult mortality, numbers of adult emergence, seed damage, weight loss and weevil perforation index. Proximate composition and phytochemicals were also investigated. Results showed that all the tested agro wastes powders and extracts significantly (P<0.05) reduced the population of adult S. zeamais on treated maize seeds. Melon shell powder at dosage 2.0 g caused 53.33% mortality of adult S. zeamais after 24 hours of treatment. This followed by Cassava peel powder that evoked 40.0% weevil mortality. The least toxic was cowpea seed coat powder that caused 20.0% mortality of adult weevil. The lethal dosage of Banana peel, Cassava peel, Cowpea seed coat, Melon shell, and Plantain peel powder at which 50% (LD50) population of maize weevil response after the first day of exposure were 3.46 g, 2.74 g, 4.88 g, 1.89 g, and 4.38 g, respectively. All the concentrations of Cassava peel and Melon shell extracts gave maximum seed protection against maize weevil. The phytochemical and antinutrient compositions of all the agro-waste used in this study showed that the waste contains Tannin, Alkaloid, Saponin, Flavonoid, Oxalate, Phytate and Cyanide with different levels of composition in percentage and milligram per gram. The melon shell of all the examined agro waste had the lowest lethal dosage and concentration to the adult S. zeamais. The use of Melon shell and cassava peel as bioinsecticides in the control of maize weevil in stored maize seeds among poor resource farmers should be advocated. The utilization of these wastes will also help reduce the problems associated with their management.