Oparaeke A.M., Bujni J.O.
Abstract
African black pepper, Piper guineense Thonn & Schum and African pepper, Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Richard were assessed against Callosobruchus subinnotatus (Pic.) on bambarra groundnut, Vigna subterranea (L.) Verde. Piper guineense powder exhibited acute toxicity on bruchid (over 90% mortality in all the three concentrations: 2.5; 5.0 and 7.5 % per 150 g seed) assayed in 48 h. P. guineense powder also significantly reduced oviposition by 85,44 to 90 percent while adult emergence and seed damage were reduced by 100 percent each. This paper highlights the potential of P. guineense as seed protectant against the bambarra seed bruchid. X. aethiopica powder was not effective in all the parameters assessed.
Key words:
Bambarra groundnut, bruchid, insecticidal, spices, storage protection.