Biological control of Sitophilus oryzae Management with Azardichta indica in Stored Maize Grains

Abstract

This study was an effort to measure the efficacy about application of leaf powder of Azardichta indica as water-based paste between the layers of double layered storage bags and acetonic leaf extracts on single layered bags against Sitophilus oryzae to protect stored maize for a period of five months. The untreated double and single layered bags were set as controls. The we evil population, percent grain damage and percent weight loss after 5 months of storage was significantly lower in A. indica treated double layered bags with 2.0% w/w. However, untreated single layered bags recorded high population build up and maximum percent grains weight loss. The present work suggests that A. indica treated double bags provide better protection to maize from S. oryzae infestation up to five months and can be readily used as an alternative to synthetic pesticide des at the farm level.