Potential of Sodom apple [Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton] leaf powder for the control of Cowpea weevil [Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius, 1775)] infestation on Stored cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] seeds

A study was carried in the Laboratory of the Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University of Kashere to determine the potential of Sodom apple (Calotropis procera) in the control of Cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) on Stored cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Cowpea weevils were collected from infested cowpea seeds, which was purchased at food stores and open market in Kashere town. Fresh leaves of Sodom apple were collected in and around Kashere town; these were washed and chopped into pieces to facilitate drying and were dried in a well-ventilated area and under shade for 4 weeks. The dried botanical samples were ground into powder using wooden mortar and pestle and sieved using a wire mesh. The experiment consisted of four treatments and were replicated 3 times: T1 = control which included cowpea seeds and cowpea weevil, T2 = which consisted of the 2g powdered of Sodom apple, cowpea seeds and cowpea weevil, T3 = which consisted of the 4g powdered of Sodom apple, cowpea seeds and cowpea weevil and T4 = which consisted of the 6g powdered of Sodom apple, cowpea seeds and cowpea weevil. The experimental design used was Completely Randomized Design (CRD) replicated four times. Data was collected on adult mortality, number of holes of cowpea seeds, and weight loss of cowpea seeds. It was observed that Kannanado and the 6g of Sodom apple leaf powder caused significantly (p≤0.05) higher mortality in cowpea weevil than the other varieties and Sodom apple powder rates. Similarly, there significant (p≤0.05 difference in cowpea seed damage (emergence holes) across all levels of Sodom apple and varieties. Conversely, there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in cowpea seed weight loss irrespective of variety and Sodom apple level, underscoring the protective nature of Sodom apple to cowpea from being damaged. Based on this study, Kannanado variety of cowpea and the 6g of Sodom apple leaf powder is recommended to farmers for cowpea storage.