Insecticidal Efficacy of Some Botanicals against Bruchus baudni Caill (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) on Senegalia senegal Seeds during Storage

The research sheds light on the use of biopesticides and their ability to provide phyto-insecticides that are worthy of research into potential novel applications. There has been an increased interest in using botanicals as a new insecticide in various sectors over the last several decades. A study was conducted at the Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano, to determine the efficacy of the potentials of seed oils and leaf powders of mahogany (Khaya senegalensis ) and Moringa (Moringa oleifera) for the control of Bruchus baudni on Senegalia senegal seeds during storage and determine the most effective concentration of the two botanicals for the control of B. baudni on S. senegal seeds and their germination potential in comparison with a conventional chemical insecticide (Aluminum phosphide) which was used as standard check. The treatments consisted of seed oils and leaf powders of K. senegalensis and M. oleifera at the rate of 2, 4, and 6 g/100 g seeds for leaf powders and 0.5, 0.75, and 1 m/100 g seeds for seed oils, and aluminum phosphide at 0.125 g/100 g, while the untreated (control) check was also set up along with the treatments. Data were collected on adult, larval and pupa mortality, residual toxicity, and seed germination. The results show that 100% mortality was achieved after 24 hours of exposure to the seed oils, while a significant increase in mortality of B. baudni was observed after 72 hours of exposure to mahogany and moringa leaf powders. More so, all had positive effects on seed germination. The LC50 concentration/dosage indicated that better protection of the S. senegal seeds could be achieved using 0.32% and 0.59% of the moringa and mahogany seed oils compared to the leaf powders 10.34%. Therefore, based on the present results, mahogany and moringa seed oils and leaves could be used to control B. baudni, especially as components of an integrated pest management strategy.