CONTACT EFFECT OF Jatropha curcas L. EXTRACTS FOR THE CONTROL OF Callosobruchus subinnotatus (Pic) ON STORED BAMBARA NUT, Vigna subterranea (L.) VERDCOURT

The research was conducted in the year 2017 at the Entomology Laboratory of the Department of Crop Protection, Bayero University Kano to assess insecticidal properties of Jatropha curcas L. leaf and seed powders on Callosobruchus subinnotatus (Pic) infesting stored bambara nut, Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdcourt. The study aimed at comparing the effectiveness of the product with conventional chemical insecticide (pirimiphos-methyl 2%). Factorial experiment of 2×2×2 levels (leaf and seed powders at the rates of 0.0 and 0.5 g, with and without addition of the synthetic chemical at 0.01 g/20 g bambara nut seed) were laid out in a completely randomized design and replicated three times. Results obtained indicated positive contact effect of Jatropha leaf/seed extracts on adult bruchids. The results also showed strong repellent both singly and combined treatments although better results were obtained on leaf and seed combination with increase with the time of exposure. In conclusion, appreciable level of protection on bambara nut seeds was achieved using seed powder of J. curcas. Therefore, it is recommended that for effective management of C. Subinnotatus infesting bambara nut, farmers could use 1.0 g seed powder on 20 g bambara nut seeds