Assessment of Insecticidal Potency of Eggshell Powder Against Maize Weevil

Abstract

Efficacy of chicken eggshell powder at concentrations 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g /100 g maize, for control of Sitophilus zeamais, were compared with permethrin at dosage rate of 0.167g / 100 g of yellow maize. Experiments were conducted at Biotechnology laboratory (NSPRI), Ilorin under ambient condition (26±3oC 65±5% RH). Mortality of S. zeamais increased with increasing dosages of the CESP as well as with days of exposure. CESP at 2.0g gives 96.67% mortality which is not significantly different from the positive control. The mean progeny emergence (0.00%), weight loss (1.11%), and percentage grain damage (19.68%) by S. zeamais was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased with increased dosage of CESP. However, CESP did not significantly affect seed germination. Total coliform count at 2.0 g (2.48 x 102) was significantly different from both positive and negative controls at p<0.05 Therefore, CESP can serve as a good maize protectant which can be used as substitute for synthetic chemicals.