Effect of Neem Leaf and Seed Powders Against Adult MaizeWeevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky) Mortality

Abstract

A laboratory study with the objective of investigating the effects of neem leaf and seed powder against maize weevil was conducted at Ziway Soil Research Centre of Ethiopia. The study had one factor neem seed powder at rates of 1, 2 and 3% w/w and control and another factor of neem leaf powder at rates of 1, 2 and 3% w/w and control. The treatments were arranged in CRD with three replications. Data were collected on dead adult weevils only. The dead adult weevils were counted within 10, 30 and 45 days after the infested maize was treated by neem seed powder and leaf powder. The collected data were subjected to one way ANOVA using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedures of SAS. Results showed that there were significant differences (p<0.5) in the mean percent mortality of S. zeamais among the different concentration of leaf and seed powder with time of storage. The highest mean mortality percent were recorded at the 3% w/w concentration. The 1, 2 and 3% w/w concentration rates of neem seed powder killed about 63.30, 70.72 and 82% of adult weevils, respectively throughout the storage period. Whereas the leaf powder treatment killed 61.13, 68.76 and 77.75% adult weevils respectively. It is concluded that the application 3% w/w of both neem seed and leaf powder are effective in the control of maize weevil and could be used as an alternative control option in integrated stored pest management strategies by small scale farmers.