Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais L.) is the most serious insect pest that causes quality and quantity loss on stored maize. A study was conducted to assess status and damage of maize storage insect pest infestation and evaluate the efficacy of locally available natural products for the management of maize weevil under storage condition in 2019. Total numbers of 60 samples were assess storage insect pest infestation status on maize. The treatments were arranged using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replication. Experiment was analyzed using SAS version 9.0 while the assessment with SPSS version 20.The result of store infestation percentage showed that Sitophlus zeamais (100%), Sitophilus oryzae (32.6%), Sitotroga cerellella (50.7%).The highest grain damage and weight loss percentage was recorded at the bottom part of the storages (44.54±9.) an(7.0±7.9) respectively. All tested materias were exhibited significant (p<0.001) superior in mortality rate against maize weevil over the control of treatment. Neem seed powder, croton seed powder and lantana seed powder were recorded maximum adult mortality (87.8%). The lowest F1 progeny percentage was recorded in standard check (0.67%) followed by wood ash (17.3%),croton leaf powder (25%),neem seed powder (30.67%) and lantana leaf powder(30.33%).The higher germination percentage were recorded from standard check (92.67) followed by wood ash (94 %), neem seed powder(88.67%) croon leaf powder (88%), and lantana leaf powder (83.67%).From treatment combinations; Neem seed powders, Croton seed powder, Lantana seed powder and wood ash suggested as the best management options of S. zeamais. However, further investigation of those locally available natural products under storage conditions on maize grain should be needed. Consequently, the finding of this result should reach smallholder farmers through extension agents.
Key words: Maize, Management, Natural products, Sitophilus zeamais, Storage insect pest