Potential of Cattle Dung Ash (CDA) against maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, 1855 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on stored maize (Zea mays L.)

A study was conducted at the Laboratory of the Department of Agronomy, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, with the aim of determining the potentials of Cattle Dung Ash (CDA) against maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, 1855) infestation on stored maize, and its ability to confer protection to maize grain while in storage. Three maize varieties (SAMMAZ 15, DMR and SAMMAZ 51) were sourced from the Gombe Stare Agricultural Development Programme (GSADP) station. Each of the stored maize varieties was treated with four levels (0g, 2g, 4g, 6g) of CDA, which was prepared by drying and burning until it became ash. They were each put in plastic containers covered with muslin and secured with rubber bands. The experiment was set up in the laboratory in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) under prevailing weather conditions, and replicated three times. Parameters that were determined from the experiment included adult S. zeamais mortality on stored maize treated with CDA, exit holes on S. zeamais-infested stored maize treated with CDA and weight loss on S. zeamais-infested stored maize treated with CDA. Results from the study showed that number of adult S. zeamais mortality showed significantly (p≤0.05) higher mortalities, especially 4DAT and 6DAT compared with control treatment. However, number of adult S. zeamais mortality among maize varieties was not significant (p>0.05). Interaction between treatment and variety was significant (p≤0.05) 4DAT. The study suggests that CDA possesses some insecticidal properties capable of protecting stored maize from infestation by S. zeamais.