Potential of combining neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) seed oil with varietal resistance for the management of the cowpea bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.).
The efficacy of different rates (25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/5 g seed) of application of neem (Azadirachta indica) seed oil (NSO) was assessed on four cowpea varieties (Kanannado, IT89KD-391, Borno brown and IT89KD-374) with differing susceptibilities to Callosobruchus maculatus. The different rates of NSO significantly interacted with cowpea varietal resistance and reduced oviposition and percentage adult emergence of C. maculatus. The interaction of the strategies also significantly reduced percentage of cowpea seeds infested by C. maculatus. Treatment of seeds with NSO at the rates of 50 mg/5 g and 75 or 100 mg/5 g reduced seed damage from over 25% in controls to less than 10% and less than 5%, respectively, in all varieties.
Lale
NE
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Mustapha
A