Comparative lethality of rice husk ash and a diatomaceous eartht adults of four storage beetles: Poster

Lethality of rice husk ash (RHA) and a diatomaceous earth (SilicoSec) (DE) to adults of Sitophilus zeamais, S. granarius, Lasioderma serricorne and Callosobruchus maculatus was investigated under controlled conditions of 25 ± 2° C and 60 ± 3% relative humidity. Each product was tested at 0.05 g to 0.5 g/20 g of grain respectively in glass Petri dishes against 20 adults of each beetle. Adult mortality was observed up to 10 days post treatment. RHA/DE mixtures (1:1, 3:1 and 1:3 ratios) were also tested at 2% of grain weight. Additionally, RHA and DE were tested at low dosages (0.01 g to 0.04 g/20 g) against adults of C. maculatus alone. The DE generally produced significantly higher mortality of all the adult storage beetles and at earlier observation times, than RHA at the lower dosages (< 0.2 g). Adult mortality produced by RHA and DE in S. zeamais and S. granarius increased with increase in dosage from 0.05 g to 0.5 g. The RHA/DE mixtures generally produced similar mortality of all the adult storage beetles irrespective of post-treatment exposure time. The S. zeamais and S. granarius were generally more tolerant to the DE and RHA treatments than L. serricorne and C. maculatus. Percentage mortality of C. maculatus adults when DE was applied at low dosages (0.01 g to 0.04 g) was generally higher than RHA applied at similar dosages, up to 3 days-post treatment. All treatments produced 100% mortality of C. maculatus adults 4 days-post treatment. The data further confirm the efficacy of DE and RHA as insecticidal dusts at the dosage rate of 0.5 g or more per kg of grain.Lethality of rice husk ash (RHA) and a diatomaceous earth (SilicoSec) (DE) to adults of Sitophilus zeamais, S. granarius, Lasioderma serricorne and Callosobruchus maculatus was investigated under controlled conditions of 25 ± 2° C and 60 ± 3% relative humidity. Each product was tested at 0.05 g to 0.5 g/20 g of grain respectively in glass Petri dishes against 20 adults of each beetle. Adult mortality was observed up to 10 days post treatment. RHA/DE mixtures (1:1, 3:1 and 1:3 ratios) were also tested at 2% of grain weight. Additionally, RHA and DE were tested at low dosages (0.01 g to 0.04 g/20 g) against adults of C. maculatus alone. The DE generally produced significantly higher mortality of all the adult storage beetles and at earlier observation times, than RHA at the lower dosages (< 0.2 g). Adult mortality produced by RHA and DE in S. zeamais and S. granarius increased with increase in dosage from 0.05 g to 0.5 g. The RHA/DE mixtures generally produced similar mortality of all the adult storage beetles irrespective of post-treatment exposure time. The S. zeamais and S. granarius were generally more tolerant to the DE and RHA treatments than L. serricorne and C. maculatus. Percentage mortality of C. maculatus adults when DE was applied at low dosages (0.01 g to 0.04 g) was generally higher than RHA applied at similar dosages, up to 3 days-post treatment. All treatments produced 100% mortality of C. maculatus adults 4 days-post treatment. The data further confirm the efficacy of DE and RHA as insecticidal dusts at the dosage rate of 0.5 g or more per kg of grain

Insecticidal Evaluation of Bridelia Micrantha and Dalbergia Lactea Aqueous Extracts for the Control of Podagrica Uniforma (Jacoby) and Nisotra Dilecta (Jacoby) (Coleoptera: Chysomelidae) Infestation on Okra

Insect pest infestation is a major factor militating against okra production and farmers generally adopt synthetic insecticides for its management. A field trial was undertaken to evaluate the insecticidal potency of Bridelia micrantha and Dalbergia lactea for the management of Podagrica uniforma (Jacoby) and Nisotra dilecta (Jacoby) insect pest of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). The treatments consisted of aqueous leaf extracts of Bridelia micrantha and Dalbergia lactea and Cypermethrin as check; laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design and repli-cated three times. Data was collected on insect population before treatment application and 3 days after spraying of insecticides at 28, 35, 42, 56 days after planting (DAP). Yield parameters data collected were number of fruits and fruit weight. Results obtained showed that the plant extracts exhibited effectiveness in reducing the insect population and improved okra fruit yield compared to Cypermethrin. The order of effectiveness in decreasing sequence was found to be Cypermethrin ˃ D. lacteal ˃ B. micrantha. D. lacteal and B. micrantha crude extracts could be explored as promising insecticidal agents to provide valuable alternatives to chemical control of insect infestation on okra. Further study is recommended to determine the chemical constituents responsible for the plant insecticidal activity

Acceptability and Sensory Evaluation of Maize and Cowpea Products Stored with some Essential Oils

The sensory evaluation and processing qualities of cooked maize paste (pap) and cooked cowpea paste(moinmoin) products from treated maize and cowpea grains stored with essential oils of three plant spices (Eugenia aromatica, Piper guineesis and Monodora myristica),were investigated. Essential oils were applied at dosage rate of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 ml/kg of stored grains for six months. The products were processed, cooked and evaluated for processing and sensory qualities to access the spices and concentration effects of the essential oils extracted with n-hexane. A 9- point hedonic scale was used to evaluate the sensory parameters of taste, aroma and appearance ranging from dislike extremely to like extremely. Panelists were administered well-structured questionnaires to assess the effect of the essential oils, from spices concentration and interaction between spice and concentration on the parameters assessed on the grains. Sensory evaluation data were subjected to 3x5 factorial arrangements. Pap from maize and moinmoin (cooked cowpea paste) from cowpea grains stored with dosage rate of 5 -10 ml/kg grains, were significantly accepted and preferred by the panelists. Nutmeg spiced products at 5 ml/kg for the grains products was ranked highest among other spices

Growth status and menarcheal age among adolescent school girls in Wannune, Benue State, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Menarcheal age is a sensitive indicator of environmental conditions during childhood. The aim of study is to determine the age at menarche and growth status in adolescents in a rural area of Tarka, Wannune, Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data on 722 female students (aged 12-18 years) were collected in February 2009. Height and weight were measured. Body mass index (BMI; kg m^-2) was used as an index of relative weight.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean and median menarcheal age calculated by probit analysis were 13.02 (SD 3.0) (95% CI: 13.02-13.07), and age 13.00 (SD 2.8) (95% CI: 12.98-13.04), respectively. Girls who reach menarche are significantly heavier and taller with higher BMIs than those of their pre-menarcheal peers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The age of menarche is probably still declining in Nigeria. Although BMI is an important factor in the onset of menstruation, some other unmeasured environmental variables may be implicated in this population.</p

An assessment of the risk of Bt-cowpea to non-target organisms in West Africa

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.) is the most economically important legume crop in arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Cowpea is grown primarily by subsistence farmers who consume the leaves, pods and grain on farm or sell grain in local markets. Processed cowpea foods such as akara (a deep-fat fried fritter) are popular in the rapidly expanding urban areas. Demand far exceeds production due, in part, to a variety of insect pests including, in particular, the lepidopteran legume pod borer (LPB) Maruca vitrata. Genetically engineered Bt-cowpea, based on cry1Ab (Event 709) and cry2Ab transgenes, is being developed for use in sub-Saharan Africa to address losses from the LBP. Before environmental release of transgenic cowpeas, the Bt Cry proteins they express need to be assessed for potential effects on non-target organisms, particularly arthropods. Presented here is an assessment of the potential effects of those Cry proteins expressed in cowpea for control of LPB. Based on the history of safe use of Bt proteins, as well as the fauna associated with cultivated and wild cowpea in sub-Saharan Africa results indicate negligible effects on non-target organisms

A Review of Insect Pest Management in Vegetable Crop Production in Nigeria

Insect pest infestations and damage can limit the production of vegetables in the farming systems in Nigeria. This review looks at integrated insect pest management as a possible panacea for resolving insect pest issues in vegetable crops. The main vegetable crops which include okra, tomatoes, chilli peppers, cucumbers, green amaranth, carrots and onions are highlighted. The major insect pests of the various vegetables which include foliage beetles, caterpillars, aphids, fruit flies, stink bugs, and grasshoppers are also mentioned. The various control measures that have been empirically verified for the mitigation of the impact of these insect pests, including the application of synthetic insecticides, modification of agronomic practices, use of resistant varieties, application of botanicals, biological and mechanical controls, are discussed. Studies which have been carried out attempting to integrate two or more of the control strategies for better insect pest control are also reviewed. Strategies that can be put in place for the integrated pest management of vegetable insect pests in Nigeria are considered. Among the IPM (Integrated Pest Management) practices instituted for the mitigation of pest infestations on vegetable crops in Nigeria, intercropping of suitable vegetables in combination with the application of aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica and Piper guineense seeds under good farm hygiene and sanitation proved to be most successful

A Review of Insect Pest Management in Vegetable Crop Production in Nigeria

Insect pest infestations and damage can limit the production of vegetables in the farming systems in Nigeria. This review looks at integrated insect pest management as a possible panacea for resolving insect pest issues in vegetable crops. The main vegetable crops which include okra, tomatoes, chilli peppers, cucumbers, green amaranth, carrots and onions are highlighted. The major insect pests of the various vegetables which include foliage beetles, caterpillars, aphids, fruit flies, stink bugs, and grasshoppers are also mentioned. The various control measures that have been empirically verified for the mitigation of the impact of these insect pests, including the application of synthetic insecticides, modification of agronomic practices, use of resistant varieties, application of botanicals, biological and mechanical controls, are discussed. Studies which have been carried out attempting to integrate two or more of the control strategies for better insect pest control are also reviewed. Strategies that can be put in place for the integrated pest management of vegetable insect pests in Nigeria are considered. Among the IPM (Integrated Pest Management) practices instituted for the mitigation of pest infestations on vegetable crops in Nigeria, intercropping of suitable vegetables in combination with the application of aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica and Piper guineense seeds under good farm hygiene and sanitation proved to be most successful