Efficacy of Senna occidentalis leaves powder on oviposition, hatchability of eggs and emergence of Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab)on treated cowpea seeds

Abstract

The efficacy of Senna occidentalis leaf powder against Callosobruchusmaculatus (F) on cowpea treated seeds was evaluated under ambientcondition (32±0.64°C and 68±3% R.H.) at the laboratory of AgriculturalTechnology of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo. C. maculatus was obtainedfrom Ojaâ€ÂOba market, Owo, Ondo State of Nigeria. The insects were rearedand bred in the laboratory. The cowpea seeds used for the bioassay werekept in the freezer for 15 days to eliminate infestation from the field. Theleaf powder was obtained after milling and four dosages of the powder (0.5,1.0, 1.5 and 2.0g) were separately admixed with 20g of cowpea in separatepetri dishes. Ten pairs of C. maculatus were introduced into each petriâ€Âdish.Number of adult mortality, egg laid, percentage egg hatching, adultemergence and weight loss from each treatment were compared withcontrol treatment. It is concluded that the Senna occidentalis contains toxicproperties valuable for the control of C. maculatus.