Biotoxic efficacy of two horticultural plants against infestation of Sitophilus oryzae on stored maize

摘要

Since botanicals still remained the most promising tool that could obviate the use of chemical insecticides, this study investigated the biotoxic effect of Acacia auriculiformis and Acalypha goddsefiana powder and oil against Sitophilus oryzae. The powder of the plants were tested at 0.0g (control), 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 2.0g dosages while their extracts were prepared at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% concentrations per 20g of maize seeds. Solvent control was also prepared for the oil extracts bioassay. Mortality, adult emergence, % inhibition rate and % weight loss were observed. LD₅₀ and LC₅₀ of the powders and oils of the two botanicals were calculated at 48 hours of application. The powders of both plants achieved complete weevil mortality within 72h of application at 2.0g and their effect was significantly (p<0.05) different from other dosages except 1.0g dosage. Also, the extracts of both plant achieved 100% insect mortality within 48h hours of application at 5%. However the powder and oil of A. auriculiformis appeared more effective than that of A. goddsefiana in term of mortality as reflected by their lethal dosage and concentration. However, A. goddsefiana powder and extract appeared more effective than that of A. auriculiformis in term of protectability as they greatly reduced the emergence of the adult weevil and their ability to cause weight loss of the maize grains. Only the higher dosages and concentrations of the plants were able to achieve 100% inhibition rate.