Effect of palm oil in protecting stored grains from Sitophilus zeamais and Callosobruchus maculatus

Abstract

The effect of palm oil for the control of Sitophilus zeamais and Callosobruchus maculatus in stored grains was investigated using standard methods of analyses. The experiment was conducted between May and October 2006 in Chemistry laboratory of the Department of General Studies, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Nigeria. The quantity of oil used for the storage of 25 g of Zea mays, Cajanus cajan and Vigna unguiculata was 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mL each. The results showed that the rate of mortality of S. zeamais and C. maculatus was high using 0.3 and 0.4 mL of palm oil. There was no sign of oviposition during the storage except in the control. The result also showed that the higher the quantity of oil, the lower the number of exit holes. Seed viability in the test was high compared to the control which did not show any sign of viability i.e., seed viability was not affected by the oil treatment The application of the oil on the stored grains was simple and the results were encouraging. Efforts should be made to encourage its use in pest management. © 2007 Academic Journals.