Volume 59, Issue 330, June 2023

Toxicity of seed oils of neem (Azadirachta indica) and desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) on the development of tropical warehouse moth (Ephestia cautella) in maize (Zea mays)

Medugu Marcel Alexander¹, Malgwi Anna Mohammed¹, Okrikata Emmanuel^2♦, Shehu Ali¹

¹Department of Crop Protection, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
²Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

^♦Corresponding author
Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

One major constraint to sustainable production and availability of maize is its susceptibility to infestation by insect pests both in the field and during storage of the grains and its products. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the biotoxic effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) and desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) seed oils against the developmental stages of the tropical warehouse moth (Ephestia cautella) and Dichlorvos (standard product). The bioassay was conducted in the laboratory under ambient temperature and relative humidity of 21 -39°C and 55-75%, respectively. Maize grains (100 g) were treated with four different concentrations (10, 15, 20 and 25 ml/l) of neem and desert date seed oils, respectively and Dichlorvos at the rate of 10 ml/l as standard control. The experiment was laid in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significantly different means were separated using New Duncan Multiple Range Test (NDMRT) at 5% probability level. The results showed that, the neem, desert date oils and Dichlorvos significantly (p < 0.05) caused mortality of adults of E. cautella. More so, it was observed that Dichlorvos, neem and desert date oils significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed oviposition rate, development of eggs and immature stages and the emergence of E. cautella from maize grains. Fewer eggs; 25 - 61 and 21 – 41, were laid on grains treated with neem and desert date oils, respectively against the control which had 184 eggs. Therefore, neem and desert date oils can be used as substitute to synthetic insecticides because of its ability to protect maize grain from E. cautella infestation.

Keywords: Dichlorvos, Azadirachta indica, maize, Balanites aegyptiaca, Ephestia cautella

Discovery, 2023, 59, e69d1255

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Published: June 2023