Research Article

Comparative efficacy of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) powder against cowpea beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus Fab.) on stored cowpea seeds

^*1Ahmed IA, ²Kutama AS, ³Hassan K.Y. and ³Abdul I

¹Samaru College of Agriculture, Division of Agricultural Colleges, ABU, Zaria, Nigeria

²Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University, Dutse, Nigeria

³Department of biology Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kano

*Corresponding Author E-mail: inusaahmed@gmail.com: Phone: +2348022180636

Accepted 19 May 2014

Abstract

The efficacy of some powders against cowpea beetle, Callosobruchus maulatus, obtained from different parts of neem plant was investigated in. The design used was completely randomized design. Six treatments were used which were designated as NRP, for root powder; NSTP, for neem stem powder; NLP, for leaf powder; NSP, for neem seed powder; Actellic dust and control in which no insecticide used. The treatments were replicated four times. The parameters assessed were oviposition, progeny development, percentage mortality, percentage seed damage and seed viability. The neem powders had effectively protected the cowpea seeds during the storage period of twelve weeks. But the protection given by neem seed powder and neem root powder were higher than that of neem stem powder and neem leaf powder. There was no significant difference (P< 0.05) between the two powders ( neem seed and neem root powders) and Actelic dust. Therefore, Neem seed powder and neem root powder, which are readily available cheap and less toxic to the immediate consumers of the seeds, can be used as better alternatives for protecting cowpea seeds.

Keywords: Actellic, Callosobruchus, cowpea, neem, powder