Abstract

The present study was emphasized on low input technology entitled “Evaluation of five botanical powders against maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on maize (Jibat variety) under laboratory condition”, thereby decreasing the loss of maize in storage. Leave powder of five botanical used at four doses such as 2, 5, 8 and 11% weight by weight with maize seeds were evaluated in completely randomized design. The data was taken within 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after treatment application. The botanical powder caused medium to maximum mortality of adult S. zeamais, Calpurnia aurea powder caused high adult mortality with mean 36.67 and 63.33% by doses of 2 and 11% (w/w) within 96 h, respectively. Leonotis ocymifolia, 46.67 and 56.67% at rate of 2 and 11% (w/w) caused high mortality next to C. aurea. While Eucalyptus globules 30.00 and 50.00% at rate of 2 and 11% (w/w), Vernonia amygdalina and Justica schimperiana caused low to medium adult mortality when compared with untreated control, but Malathion 5% dust at a rate of 0.1% caused 100% adult mortality within 24 h. Therefore, since these botanicals have no any adverse effects on the seeds and safe to the environment, they are recommended for future usage in storage grains to control of S. zeamais.

Key words: Evaluation, botanicals, powder, Sitophilus, Zea mays.