Efficacy of mixed powder of chilli pepper (<i>Capsicum annum</i>) and bitter leaf powder in control of <i>Callosobruschus maculatus</i> in stored cowpea (<i>Vigina unguiculata</i> (L) Walp)

Abstract

A mixture of two edible plant product powders chilli pepper (Capsicum annum) and bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) (MEPPP) were studied for the effectiveness in suppressing ovipositor, and progeny emergence against Callosobruschus maculatus (f). Pulverized MEPP at the rate of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0g/20g of cowpea seeds were applied as to pre-treated product powder significantly (P≤0.05) reduced oviposition by C. maculatus when tested as pre-treated application, compared with oviposition in control treatments. Consequently, F1 progeny emergence was significantly (P≤05) suppressed compared with emergence in control. In the treatment after infestation, egg mortalities were highest in treatment with at 2g, 2.5g and 3.0g.