Effect of raw diatomaceous earth and plant powders on Callosobruchus subinnotatus (Pic.) infesting stored bambara groundnut seeds

Experiments were conducted on the efficacy of raw DE and plant powders (Jatropha curcas seed and leaf powders of Eucalyptus and Ricinus) for their insecticidal potential against Callosobruchus subinnotatus infesting stored bambara groundnut seeds. The treatments consisted of the raw DE, plant powders, actellic dust (2%) as check and an untreated control. Thirty adults 0-3 days old were used to infest 100 g bambara groundnut seeds (cv. Ka’aro). Raw DE was used at 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9g/100g seeds and plants powders at 0.5, 1.0, and 2 .0g/100g seeds each replicated three times in completely randomized design. Adult mortality was recorded from 24 to 96 hours; progeny emergence as well as percentage seed damage and viability were assessed. The result revealed that, raw DE at 0.9g recorded significant (P < 0.05) mortality of 78.81% and JSP at 2.0g gave 63.52 % mortality both after 24 h of exposure. Higher mortality was observed for higher dosage of all treatments after 96 h. Progeny production was significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited in treated seeds. The results therefore suggested that, raw DE and plant powders are prom-ising alternatives to synthetic pesticides against C. subinnotatus in bambara groundnut seeds.