The Effect of Seed Extracts of Physic Nut (Jatropha Curcas L.) on Some Quality Parameters of Stored Maize Grains (Zea Mays L.)

This study was carried out in the Laboratory of Crop Science and Biotechnology of Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Imo State University Owerri, to determine the viability (radicle and plumule emergence) and grain damage (exit holes) of maize grains treated with crude liquid and crude powder extracts of seeds of Jatropha curcas L, earlier used in the control of maize weevils. Treatment levels of 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4mls for crude liquid and 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4grams for crude powder extracts were applied on ten maize (Zea mays L.) grains in each experimental unit. Results showed that there was significant (P≤0.05) difference in the germination of treated maize grains in petri dishes and jute bags, an indication that the maize grains retained their viability after treatment. On the other hand, there was no significant (P≤0.05) difference on grain damage (exit holes) in the treatments with crude liquid extract except the control. For crude powder extract, exit holes increased with decrease in weight of the levels of crude powder extracts used.Keywords: Grain damage, Jatropha curcas, jute bag, petri dish, Zea mays, viabilit