<b>Insecticide/Fungicide/Bioherbicide</b>

Abstract

Natural Product Radiance - Jan. 2005The major insect pest of stored maize and grain products in the tropics<i> </i>is <i>Sitophilus zeamais</i><b> </b>Motschulsky. The toxicity of coconut, groundnut and soybean oils applied at 1, 2, 5 and 10 ml/kg and Pirimiphos-methyl at 2.5, 5 and 10μl active ingredient in 2ml of water/kg of grain alone or in combination, to adults and immature stages of <i>S. zeamais</i>, the persistence of the treatments in maize grains and their effects on seed viability were evaluated by scientists in the laboratory at Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. All the treatments caused significant mortality compared to untreated controls. Low dosages of the oils and Pirimiphos-methyl when combined were highly toxic to adult <i>S. zeamais.</i> The mixtures completely inhibited the development of immature stages of the weevil. Only Pirimiphos-methyl and the mixtures retained some activity 60 days after application.