Annals of Applied Biology (2004) 144, 185-189

C.O. Adedire and J.O. Akinneye (2004)
Biological activity of tree marigold, Tithonia diversifolia, on cowpea seed bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)
Annals of Applied Biology 144 (2), 185-189
Abstract: The powder and ethanol extract of Tithonia diversifolia leaves were tested for their efficacy at five different concentrations (0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%) on bruchid mortality, oviposition and adult emergence of cowpea seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus at ambient tropical storage conditions of temperature and relative humidity. Results showed that the leaf extract had a higher bioactivity on oviposition, adult emergence and mortality of C. maculatus. The mean number of eggs laid on seeds treated with extract was reduced from 20.7 in the solvent-treated to 4.7 at 2% Tithonia extract concentration while adult emergence reduced from a mean of 92.2 in the solvent-treated seeds to 72.2 at 2.0% extract treatment. Mortality was 100% at higher concentrations of 3%, 4% and 5% within 24 h of extract application but at lower concentrations mortality was 73.3% and 93.3% at 1% and 2%, respectively after 24 h. Fourty-eight hours after application, 100% mortality of adult C. maculatus was obtained at all concentrations. The mean number of eggs laid was reduced from 41.3 in the untreated to 17.3 at 2.0% powder concentration while adult emergence dropped from 98.5% in the control to 74.2% at the highest powder concentration. The powder was effective at higher concentrations and longer exposure time. At 3%, 4% and 5%, 63-75% mortalities occurred within 24 h of application while at 48 h, mortality was 76-98% at 3-5% powder application rates. The results of this study revealed T. diversifolia as a potential candidate for bioinsecticide preparations because of antiovipositional, ovicidal and knockdown properties of its products, which have some volatile components.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Chris O. Adedire

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Callosobruchus maculatus	Stored legumes	Nigeria