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Main Article Content
Insecticidal Activities of Bengal Dayflower, Commelina benghalensis L. Plant Powder and Extracts Against the Cowpea Beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Abstract
The bioactivity of Commelina benghalensis (CB) leaf powder and extracts against the cowpea beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (CM), was investigated in the laboratory. Adult mortality and oviposition of CM were assessed on cowpea seeds (20 g) treated with each of CB Powder (CBP: 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0%, 12.5% w/w); Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts (CBAE and CBEE: 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.5, 8.0, 12.5% v/v) arranged in a completely randomised design. Pirimiphos-methyl (PM) served as the synthetic control. Adult Mortality (AM, %) and Number of Eggs Laid (NEL) were assessed daily, and the cowpea seeds were watched for adult emergence. Several Emergent Adults (NEA) and Sex Ratios (SR) were recorded. Plant materials were analysed for secondary metabolites. The highest Percentage of Adult Mortality (PAM) of 55.11% was obtained in PM-treated seeds at 24 hours, while the least was recorded from 0.5% CBP (39.11%), 2.5% CBAE (0.76%), and 0.5% CBEE (14.0%). There was no significant difference in PAM between seeds treated with PM (55.0) and seeds treated with 1.0% (69.3) and 4.5% (75.0) CBAE, but the highest mortalities occurred at 96 hours on 8.0% (77.0) and 12.5% (91.0) CBAE. No adult emerged from seeds treated with CBEE and PM. CBEE had the highest alkaloids (7.24±0.08h), followed by flavonoids (101.39±0.75), tannins (95.27±0.94), and phenolics (938.25±1.64) contents. CBEE inhibited adult emergence, possibly due to its phytochemical components. Commelina benghalensis leaf powder (5.0% and 12.5%), aqueous extract (8.0% and 12.5%), and ethanol extract (8.0% and 12.5%) could be incorporated into the stored product pest management.
