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Full Project – Assessment of seed extract of pignut Jatropha Curcas for the control of beans weevil Callosobruchus Maculatus

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The cowpea, Vigna unguiculata, is an annual herbaceous legume from the genus Vigna. Due to its tolerance for sandy soil and low rainfall it is an important crop in the semi – arid regions across Africa and other countries. It requires very few inputs, as the plants root nodules are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen, making it a valuable crop for resource poor farmers and well – suited to intercropping with other crops. The whole plant is used as forage for animals, with its use as cattle feed likely responsible for its name (Diouf, 2011).

Four subspecies of cowpea are recognized, of which three are cultivated. There is a high level of morphological diversity found within the species with large variations in the size, shape and structure of the plant. Cowpeas can be erect, semi erect (trailing) or climbing. The crop is mainly grown for its seed, which are extremely high in protein, although the leaves and immature seed pods can also be consumed (Singh, 1985). Cultivated cowpeas are known by the common names black – eyed pea, southern pea, yardlong bean, catjang, and crowder pea. They were domesticated in Africa and are one of the oldest crops to be formed. A second domestication event probably occurred in Asia, before they spread into Europe and the Americans. The seeds are usually cooked and made into stews and curries or grounded into flour or paste. Most cowpeas are grown on the African continent particularly in Nigeria and Niger which accounts for 66% of world production.

A 1997 estimate suggests that cowpeas are cultivated on 12.5 million hectares (31 million acres), have a worldwide production of 3 million tons and are consumed by 200 million people on a daily basis (Chambliss et al., 1997). Insect infestation is a major constraints to the production of cowpea, sometimes causing losses of over 90% loss in yield (Jackai et al., 1986).

The legume pod borer Maruca vitrata is the main pre-harvest pest of the cowpea and the cowpea weevil C. maculatus the main post – harvest pest (Ernest, 2009). The destructive activities of these insects and other storage pests have been adequately subdued by synthetic insecticides the problems include high persistence, poor knowledge of application, cost, non – availability, genetic resistance and hazard to health (Adedire and Ajayi, 1996).Based on this issues,long term studies on insecticidal effect of plant species in protecting and controlling existing infestation of stored grains under ambient conditions in the field is therefore a matter of necessity (Okonkwo et al.,1996).

Recently, attention is being focused on the use of natural compound of plant origin for stored crop protection because they are readily biodegradable, often of low mammalian toxicity and thus pose no danger to the environment if used in small amount (Keita et al., 2001). The use of plant derived bio – pesticides such as plant crude extract and oils that are relatively cheaper and ecologically more tolerable than conventional chemical pesticides are being encouraged among resource – poor farmers in developing nations (Okosun and Adedire, 2010).

Bio-pesticide are certain types of pesticide derived from such natural materials as animals, plants, bacteria and certain minerals. For example, canola oil and baking soda have pesticidal application and are considered bio-pesticides (Okosun and Adedire, 2010).

Benefit of bio pesticide

Biopesticide are usually inherently less toxic than conventional pesticides.
Biopesticide generally affect only the target pest and closely related organisms.
Biopesticide development of resistance of pest to biological control is unlikely. (Poswal and Akpan, 1991).

1.2 Objective of study.

The objectives of this study is as follows:

To investigate the effect of the methanoic seed extract of curcas on C.maculatus.
To access the effect the extract has on oviposition and adult emergence
To access the rate at which the seed extract of curcas can affect mortality of C.maculatus.

1.3 Justification of study

Research has shown that the use of synthetic pesticides are toxic and environmentally unfriendly this give rise to the basis of this study which is the use of nontoxic and environmentally friendly pesticides using natural product.

1.4 Scope of the study

To determine the effect of seed extracts of curcas on mortality of C. maculates.
To determine the effect of seed extract of curcas on weight loss cause by C. maculatus.
To determine the effect of seed extract of curcas on adult emergence of C. maculatus.
To determine the effect of seed extract ofcurcas on seed damage caused by C. maculatus.

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