Mulungu L.S., Lupenza G., Reuben S.O.W.M., Misangu R.N.
Pest Management Centre, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania; Department of Crop Science and Production, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3005, Morogoro, Tanzania; Pest Management Centre, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3110, Morogoro, Tanzania
Mulungu, L.S., Pest Management Centre, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania, Pest Management Centre, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3110, Morogoro, Tanzania; Lupenza, G., Department of Crop Science and Production, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3005, Morogoro, Tanzania; Reuben, S.O.W.M., Department of Crop Science and Production, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3005, Morogoro, Tanzania; Misangu, R.N., Department of Crop Science and Production, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3005, Morogoro, Tanzania
This study was conducted in order to evaluate leaf powder botanical products of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus macrorhyncha F. Muell), pawpaw (Carica papaya L.), neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) and lantana (Lantana camara L.) against the infestation of maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamays (L.) on stored maize grains. These botanicals were compared with synthetic chemical (Actellic Super Dust) and without insecticides application as controls. All tested plant products performed well in the reduction of live insects during maize storage as compared to the no insecticide application. However, pawpaw leaf powder was the most effective in reducing the number of live insects. Similarly, number of damaged maize seeds was relatively less in grains treated with pawpaw leaf powder. This also reflects on the weight loss where the maize grains treated with pawpaw leaf powder were lowest. The weight loss was also less in grains treated with neem and eucalyptus leaf powders. This study suggests that pawpaw, neem and eucalyptus leaf powders can be used as good alternatives to synthetic pesticides against S. zeamays. © 2007 Academic Journals.