ASSESSMENT OF SOME SPICES AS MAIZE SEEDS PROTECTANTS AGAINST MAIZE WEEVIL, Sitophilus zeamais .....

In Nigeria, maize is grown in great quantities during the rainy season. After sorghum, millet, and rice, maize is ranked fourth among the most edible seeds. Despite its importance as a staple food, the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, is the most common insect pest of stored maize seeds, and its preservation throughout the rainy season is hampered. The toxicity of seeds powders and extracts from Aframomum melegueta, Monodora myristica, and Syzygium aromaticum for the control of the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, was tested in the laboratory at 282°C and 75% relative humidity. Seed dusts were evaluated at concentrations of 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/20 g maize seeds. Oil extracts were tested at 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mL concentrations. Mortality rate, offspring development, percent weight loss, seed damage, and weevil perforation index (WPI) caused by maize weevils are among the parameters evaluated. After 24 hours of administration, M. myristica powder caused 76.7 percent adult mortality at a rate of 2.0 g/ 20g. Maize weevil mortality was reduced by 60% when Syzygium aromaticum powder was used. After 24 hours of therapy, Aframomum melegueta powder caused 53.3 percent adult mortality at a rate of 2.0 g / 20 g. After 24 hours of treatment with Monodora myristica oil extract at a dosage of 2.0 ml/ 20g maize seeds, adult mortality was 100%. At a dosage of 2.0 ml/ 20g maize seeds, Syzygium aromaticum caused 86 percent adult mortality. At the same concentration, Aframomum melegueta caused 80% death. The seeds oil extracts of Aframomum melegueta, Monodora myristica, and Syzygium aromaticum reduced egg laying, progeny development, weight loss, and seed damage. The use of A. melegueta, M. myristica, and S. aromaticum in maize weevil management would assure the supply of viable seeds for future agricultural and food security in developing nations like Nigeria.

Please see the link :- https://www.ikprress.org/index.php/JOGAE/article/view/7563