EVALUATION OF BIO-NIMBECIDINE BOTANICAL POWDER IN THE CONTROL OF Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (COLEOPTERA: BRUCHIDAE) INFESTATION IN STORED GRAIN LEGUMES

The effect of Bio-nimbecidine botanical powder on Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) infestation was investigated in the laboratory at (30- 35 o C and 55- 65 % Relative Humidity) on two cowpea varieties (Borno white and Gwalam) and bambara groundnut. Ten gram grains of the two cowpea varieties and bambara groundnut were treated with three different dosages, 0.04 g, 0.06 g and 0.08 g of Bio-nimbecidine botanical powder. Each treatment had three replicates and a control (check) which were then infested with three pairs of 1- 3 days old C. maculatus. Data on the number of eggs laid, number of adult first filial generation and severity of damage were collected. All data collected were subjected to two way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The mean number of eggs laid, adult bruchid emerged and severity of grain damage was significantly (P < 0.05) lower on all pulses treated with Bio-nimbecidine botanical powder than untreated grains. Amongst the treated grain legumes, mean values of the above three parameters assessed were all lower at higher doses of Bio-nimbecidine botanical powder (0.06 g and 0.08 g). The results indicated that higher dosages of Bio-nimbecidine botanical powder were highly effective against C. maculatus infestation and damage. It had significantly reduced the number of eggs laid, adult emergence and severity of damage by the cowpea bruchid, as lower infestation and damage were recorded on the pulse grains