EFFICACY OF Jatropha curcas L. EXTRACTS WITH AND WITHOUT PIRIMIPHOS-METHYL FOR THE CONTROL OF Callosobruchus subinnotatus (PIC.) DAMAGE AND WEIGHT LOSS IN BAMBARA GROUNDNUT, Vigna subterranea (L.) VERDCOURT SEEDS

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of Jatropha curcas L. leaf and seed powders and their combination with and withoutPirimiphos-methyl, for controlling Callosobruchus subinnotatus (Pic.) damage, weight loss and germination rates in Bambara groundnut, Vigna subterranea (L.) Verd court seeds. A factorial experiment(4×4×2) laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three (3) replications was conducted to assess the impact of the different treatment combinations. The results showed that treatments with J. curcas leaf powder with and without Pirimiphos-methyl significantly (P ≤ 0.001) reduced seed damage and weight loss compared to the control. The combination of 0.5g leaf powder + 0.0g seed powder + 0.01g Pirimiphos-methyl, which was statistically the same as 0.5g leaf powder + 0.0g seed powder + 0.00g Pirimiphos-methyl exhibited the most promising results, having the most reduced seed damage (4.17% and 4.55%, respectively) and weight loss (3.82% and 4.25%, respectively) without hindering germination. The study suggested that J. curcas extracts could be used as a potential botanical insecticide for controlling C. subinnotatus damage and preserving Bambara groundnut seeds while offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional chemical insecticides.