Abstract:
This study was conducted in Sheikan locality, North Kordofan State, Sudan during season 2015/ 2016 to find out alternative method for pesticide to protect stored cowpea seeds from infestation by the beetle Callosobruchus chinensis.Linn (Coleoptera: Bruchidae ) by using some local materials. Laboratory work was done in the Lab of Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Kordofan. Six treatments were used: groundnut oil, wood ash, sand, neem leaf powder, rabal leaf powder and hot pepper powder. Two hundred and fifty gram of seeds were mixed with each treatment and stored under room temperature for four months to assess loss in weight of infested seeds. Also, field survey was done and 50 respondents were randomly selected from the study area, subsequently interviewed for their experience and indigenous knowledge about the methods of storage, and control of cowpea beetle. The result obtained due to infestation by C. chinensis showed that the mean percentage in weight loss of 100 cowpea seeds treated with the six materials used for four months was 1.6%; 49.4%; 39.5%, 41.2%, 49.6% and 47.5% respectively. Loss weight after 4 months was not significantly different between rabal leaf powder, red pepper leaf powder and wood ash (p<0.05) while it was different with other treatments particularly, the ground nut oil which gave significant protection. It is clear the use of some local materials can protected the seeds from infestation. The results obtained from field survey indicated that, 46% of the respondents use chemicals for the control while 54% used traditional methods to preserve the Cowpea seeds. So, we can avoid seed dressing by chemicals towards benefit of the farmers and the environment too; bearing in mind misuse of chemicals is a common problem. |
