International Journal of Nematology and Entomology

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 2756-3839 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2022.   © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Insecticidal activity of four medicinal plant extracts against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Rachid JBILOU¹, Abdeslam ENNABILI², Fouad SAYAH ¹*

¹Centre des Etudes Environnementales Méditerranéennes (CEEM), Laboratoire de Biologie Appliquée & Sciences de l'Environnement, Université Abdelmalek Essaâdi. Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, BP 416, 9000 Tanger, Maroc.

²Institut National des Plantes Médicinales et Aromatiques, Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah. BP 8691, 30100 Fès, Maroc.

Accepted 11 February, 2022

Abstract

Methanol extracts from four medicinal plants, Peganum harmala (Zygophyllaceae), Ajuga iva (Labiateae), Aristolochia baetica (Aristolochiaceae) and Raphanus raphanistrum (Brassicaceae) were studied for their insecticidal effects on the stored grain pest Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Response varied with plant species. Larvae growth was significantly inhibited when they were fed with extracts incorporated into the diet. Good insecticidal activity against T. castaneum larvae and adults was achieved with extract of P. harmala seeds, followed by extract of A. iva, Ari. baetica and R. raphanistrum aerial parts. The extracts of the four plants disrupted the developmental cycle of the insect. Extracts of P. harmala, A. iva and Ari. baetica inhibited F1 progeny production. These naturally occurring plant extracts could be useful for managing populations of T. castaneum.

Key words: Ajuga iva, Aristolochia baetica, Peganum harmala, Raphanus raphanistrum, Tribolium castaneum.

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 2756-3839 Vol. 8 (1), pp. 001-005, February, 2022.   © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Selection of pepper cultivars (Capsicum spp.) for the control of bruchids Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) on stored cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) seeds

Echezona, B.C.

Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 3 February, 2022

Abstract

To minimize the impact on the environment caused by indiscriminate use of synthetic chemical pesticides, four pepper cultivars were evaluated on their insecticidal activities against Callosobruchus maculatus F. on cowpea seeds. Two studies were carried out. Treatments of the first study comprised dried and ground fruits of four pepper cultivars (‘Sombo’, ‘Nsukka Yellow’, ‘Tatashi’ and ‘Tanjarawa’), one conventional storage insecticide, Actellic 2% dust (Pirimiphos-methyl), no protectant control with three rates of each protectant at all possible combinations. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. To each treatment were admixed 20 g dry cowpea seeds and six adult bruchids in the ratio of 3 males: 3 females. The second study comprised mixed proportions of a promising but expensive pepper cultivars with a less promising and less expensive cultivar from the first study. The treatments were laid in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Dried and ground fruits of ‘Nsukka Yellow’ and ‘Tanjarawa’ were therefore selected and applied in the ratios of 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80, 0:100 and 0:0 at the rate of 5% of the treated seed weight for this second study. Efficacy of the materials used were based on the number of adult bruchid survival and reduction of oviposition rate (number of eggs laid per seed.). ‘Nsukka Yellow’ and ‘Tanjarawa’ cultivars significantly reduced number of bruchid survivors earlier than other pepper cultivars but not lower and earlier than pirmiphos-methly powder treated seeds which caused 100% adult mortality of C. maculatus within 8 days after infestation (DAI). All the materials used significantly increased adult mortality of the insect earlier than the no protectant control (p<0.05). There was no ovicidal effect of the protectants used earlier than 6 DAI. At 6 DAI all the protectants significantly reduced number of eggs by the bruchids. Differences amongst the protectant rates and protectant interaction did not produce any significant effect both on adult survivors and number of eggs deposited. Mixture of 80% ‘Tanjarawa’ +20% ‘Nsukka Yellow Pepper’ fruits caused 100% mortality of the adult bruchids earlier than the other mixtures.

Key words: selection; pepper cultvars, bruchids control, cowpea seeds.

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 2756-3839 Vol. 8 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2022.   © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of indigenous storage systems and insect infestation on the contamination of maize with fumonisins

P. Fandohan¹*; B. Gnonlonfin¹; K. Hell²; W.F.O. Marasas³; M.J. Wingfield⁴

¹Programme on Agricultural and Food Technology, National Institute of Agricultural Research of Benin, P. O. Box 128, Porto- Novo, Benin.

²International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), P. O. Box: 08-0932 Tri Postal, Cotonou, Bénin.

³Programme on Mycotoxins and Experimental Carcinogenesis (PROMEC), Medical Research Council, P. O. Box 19070, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.

⁴Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Faculty of Biological and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.

Accepted 12 December, 2021

Abstract

Four storage systems of maize commonly used by farmers in Benin, West Africa, were tested to determine their impact on infection of maize by Fusarium and subsequent contamination with fumonisins. The study showed that Fusarium incidence was significantly higher when maize was stored on a cemented floor in a house, a non ventilated facility (40.3 ± 17.4%), than in the other tested systems (p < 0.05). The lowest Fusarium incidence was recorded when maize was stored in a bamboo granary that is a ventilated facility (25.5 ± 13.5%) (p < 0.05). All maize samples from the tested storage systems were found to be fumonisin-positive, with levels ranging from 0.6 to 2.4 mg/kg. Fumonisin level, overall, was found to decrease over the storage period, but not significantly in all the tested storage systems. Damage by lepidopterous pests was significantly and positively correlated with both infection of maize with Fusarium and contamination by fumonisin. In contrary, damage by coleopterous insects was significantly and negatively correlated with infection of maize with Fusarium and contamination by fumonisin. Avoiding the use of non-ventilated systems to store maize and reducing insect infestation in field and during storage are very important recommendations for farmers.

Key words: Maize, storage systems, Fusarium, fumonisins, insect infestation.

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 2756-3839 Vol. 8 (12), pp. 001-008, December, 2021.   © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Insect pests’ incidence and variations due to forest landscape degradation in the humid forest zone of Southern Cameroon: farmers’ perception and need for adopting an integrated pest management strategy

KEKEUNOU Sévilor^1,2*, MESSI Jean², WEISE Stephan ¹, TINDO Maurice¹

¹International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Humid Forest Eco-regional Centre, Yaounde, Cameroon.

²Zoology laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon.

Accepted 16 November, 2021

Abstract

Group surveys were conducted in five villages in each of the three resource-use zones of the humid forest zone of Southern Cameroon, to assess insect pests’ incidence and the variation due to forest landscape degradation in the agricultural production systems. 389 farmers were interviewed. The results show that: (1) In annual crop systems, insect pests in general rank together with vertebrate pests and diseases amongst the most important agronomic constraints. No differences were found between the intensification zones, except for weeds, which appeared to be a greater constraint in the slightly degraded area. Within the insect pest, the greatest damage to crops according to farmers originated from borers and scales, followed by variegated grasshopper. Only the termites showed a difference between zones - the problem being greatest in the high -degraded areas. (2) In the young perennial crop systems, all the categories of agronomic constraints were equally important. Within the insect pest, mirids were identified as the greatest constraint, followed by borers and caterpillars. There were more variations in the responses according to zones compared to annual crops. Termites and scales were relatively more important in the high-degraded area. In term of control strategy, we recommended an integrated pest management.

Key words: Farmers, pest, insect, annual crop, perennial crop, integrated pest management.

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 2756-3839 Vol. 8 (6), pp. 001-003, June, 2021.   © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Assessment of the toxic potentials of some plants powders on survival and development of Callosobuchus maculatus

Y. M. Abdullahi¹ and S. Muhammad²*

¹College of Science and Technology, Sokoto State Polytechnic, Sokoto, Nigeria.

²Department of Biological Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

Accepted 3 May, 2021

Abstract

Dried leaves powders of Guirea senegalensis, Piliostigma reticulatum and dried fruit powder of Piper guineense, were tested along side a conventional insecticide, Actellic-2-Dust, to compare their efficacies on survival of cowpea weevil (Callosobuchus maculates) during storage. Both the treated and untreated cowpeas (control) were then infested with newly emerged adult bruchids of both sexes. In all the trials, 83 to 100% mortality rates were observed in the treated samples. The rates in the untreated control ranges from 33.3 to 43.6%. The effects of the powders on fecundity were more pronounced on P. guineense and Actellic-dust treated samples. Similar effects were observed on development of immature stages and emergence of adult weevils. P. guineense had the highest larvicidal effects and lower productivity result especially. P. reticulatum had the lowest mortality rate and higher productivity result. The effects of the different powders were found to be dose related.

Key words: Cowpea weevil, Callosobuchus maculates, biological insecticides, Vigna unguiculata.

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology ISSN 2756-3839 Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-010, May, 2021.   © International Scholars Journals

Review

Infection of maize by Fusarium species and contamination with fumonisin in africa

P. Fandohan^1*, K. Hell², W.F.O. Marasas³, M.J. Wingfield⁴

¹Programme on Agricultural and Food Technology, National Institute of Agricultural Research of Benin, P. O. Box 128, Porto-Novo, Benin.

²International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), P. O. Box: 08-0932 Tri Postal, Cotonou, Benin.

³Programme on Mycotoxins and Experimental Carcinogenesis (PROMEC), Medical Research Council, P. O. Box 19070, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.

⁴Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Faculty of Biological and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.

Accepted 24 April, 2021

Abstract

Fusarium is one of the major fungal genera associated with maize in Africa. This genus comprises several toxigenic species including F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum, which are the most prolific producers of fumonisins. The fumonisins are a group of economically important mycotoxins and very common contaminants of maize-based foods and feeds throughout the world. They have been found to be associated with several animal diseases such as leukoencephalomalacia in horses and pulmonary oedema in pigs. Effects of fumonisins on humans are not yet well understood. However, their occurrence in maize has been associated with high incidences of oesophageal and liver cancer. Infection of maize by Fusarium species and contamination with fumonisins are generally influenced by many factors including environmental conditions (climate, temperature, humidity), insect infestation and pre- and postharvest handling. Attempts to control F. verticillioides and to detoxify or reduce fumonisin levels in maize have been undertaken. However, more research studies are urgently needed in order to understand more about this toxin. Fumonisins are less documented because they are recently discovered mycotoxins compared to aflatoxins. To date in Africa, apart from South Africa, very little information is available on Fusarium infection and fumonisin contamination in maize. It is a matter of great concern that on this continent, millions of people are consuming contaminated maize and maize-based foods daily without being aware of the danger.

Key words: Fusarium, fumonisins, maize, Africa.