African Crop Science Journal, Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 71 - 81 ISSN 1021-9730/2017 $4.

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/acsj.v25i1.5

ESSENTIAL OIL EXTRACT FROM MORINGA OLEIFERA ROOTS AS COWPEA

SEED PROTECTANT AGAINST COWPEA BEETLE

O.Y. ALABI and M.M. ADEWOLE

Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Corresponding author: [email protected], [email protected]

(Received 27 October, 2015; accepted 13 February, 2017)

ABSTRACT

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walpers), is an important food legume in drier regions of the world, which is
threatened by cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus), which is a cosmopolitan field-to-store pest of cowpea
with infestation usually starting from the field. Cowpea weevil causes quantitative and qualitative losses, manifested
by seed perforation, reductions in seed weight, reduced income to households, reduced market value and low seed
germination. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Moringa oleifera (Lam.) roots essential
oil extract on the survival of Callosobruchus maculatus. Behaviour of Hexane extract of powdered Moringa
oleifera roots was obtained by the Soxhlet extraction method. Moringa roots oil extract was applied at dosages of
0.5 l, 1.0 l, 1.5 and 2.0 ml per 20.0 g of Ife Brown Peduncle cowpea (susceptible variety) seeds. Dichlorvos
(DDVP: 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate) was included as a check. It was applied at dosage of 2.0 ml per
20.0 g cowpea seeds. Moringa roots oil extract at 2.0 ml per 20 g cowpea seeds resulted in significantly (P<0.05)
higher mortality of 98.1% compared with Dichlorvos (89.9%). Also, 2.0 ml of root extract applied on the dorsum
of adult insects (topical application) resulted in the highest mortality (100%) at 72 hours after application,
compared with Dichlorvos (99.2%). There were significant reductions in the number of eggs laid in the order of
7.5 (0.5 ml), 8.0 (1.0 ml), 11.8 (1.5 ml) and 6.5 (2.0 ml); compared with Dichlorvos (20.8). Significantly fewer
adults emerged from 0.5 ml (20.3), 1.0 ml (15.5), 1.5 ml (11.8) and 2.0 ml (9.0) root extracts than with Dichlorvos
(37.0). Similarly, oviposition, contact toxicity and mortality were dose dependent; and higher concentrations
significantly protected cowpea seeds against damage by C. maculatus. There was no significant difference in seed
weight loss. Also, cowpea seeds coated with moringa roots oil extract germinated normally. The roots oil extract
at 2.0 ml per 20.0 g cowpea seeds reduced damage by C. maculatus and was effective in controlling C. maculatus
infestation on stored cowpea seeds.

Key Words: 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate, contact toxicity, Moringa oleifera, oviposition, Vigna
unguiculata

RÉSUMÉ

L’efficacité d’extrait d’huile essentielle de racines de Moringa oleifera sur la mortalité, la toxicité de contact,
l’oviposition et l’émergence des adultes de Callosobruchus maculatus a été menée au Département de la protection
des cultures et de biologie environnementale, Université d’ Ibadan au Nigeria. L’extrait à l’hexane de poudre de
racines de Moringa oleifera a été obtenu par la méthode d’extraire soxhlet. L’extraire de l’huile a été applique a des
dosages de 0,5 ml, 1,0 ml, et 2,0 ml per 20,0g des graines de niébé ‘Ife Brown’ Peduncleo. (en variété sensible).
Dichlorvos (DDVP: 2,2-dichlorovinyl, phosphate de diméthyle) a été inclus comme un cheque. Il a été applique
à la dose de 2,0ml par 20,0 g de graines de niébé. Le ‘damage’ de graines de niébé, la perte de poids et la viabilité
72 O.Y. ALABI and M.M. ADEWOLE
de niébé revêtus étaient également évalués. L’extrait d’huile de racines a 2,0 ml per 20 g de graines de niébé a pour
résultat, de manière significative (P<0,05), une mortalité plus élevé de 98,1% par rapport aux dichlorvos
(89,9%). De plus, 2,0 ml d’extrait de racine utilise sur les insectes adultes, a pour résultat (P<0,05), la mortalité
la plus élevée, 100% a 72 heures après l’application par rapport a Dichlorvos (99,2%). Il y avait des réductions
importantes dans le nombre d’œufs pondus 7,5 (0,5ml), 8,0 (1,0ml), 11,8 (1,5 ml) et 6,5 (2,0 ml) par rapport a
dichlorvos (20,8) a P<0,05. Un petit nombre d’adultes ont émergé de 0,5 ml (20,3), 1,0 ml (15,5), 1,5 ml (11,8)
et 2,0 ml (9,0) d’extraits de racine par rapport aux dichlorvos (37.0). Sommairement, l’oviposition, la toxicité de
contact et la mortalité étaient dépendants du dosage. Aussi, des concentrations, les plus élevées, ont protégé les
graines de niébé de manière significative contre les dommages par C. maculatus. Il n’y avait pas de différence
majeure a propos de la perte de poids en pourcentage. Egalement, des graines de niébé revêtus d’extrait d’huile de
racine de moringa n’ont pas arrêté le potentiel des graines de germiner. L’extrait d’huile de racine de moringa a 2,0
ml/20,0g de graines de niébé a réduit des dommages causés par C. maculatus et c’était efficace dans le contrôle de
l’infestation de C. maculatus sur les semences de niébé stockées.

Mots Clés: 2,2-dichlorovinyl diméthyle phosphate, contact toxicity, Moringa oleifera, oviposition, Vigna
unguiculata

INTRODUCTION Consequently, there is an increasing interest

in the use of pesticides of plant origin, in order
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walpers), is to reduce environmental pollution,
a key food legume and an essential component contamination of food and other associated
of cropping systems in drier regions of the problems. Previous works (Akinkurolere et al.,
world (Fatokun et al., 2002). The weevil 2006; Mbailo et al., 2006; Akinkurolere, 2007;
(Callosobruchus maculatus) is a cosmopolitan Echereobia et al., 2010; Panchal et al., 2011)
field-to-store pest of cowpea. The infestation demonstrated the efficacy of different plant
usually starts from the field and continues in oils, plant extracts and dry powders of different
the store. Callosobruchus maculatus causes plant parts, as protectants against storage
quantitative and qualitative losses manifested pests.
by seed perforation, reductions in seed weight, Moringa (Moringa oleifera), which is one
reduced income to producers, reduced market of such plants belongs to family Moringaceae.
value and poor seed germination. These losses It is a multi purpose plant, cultivated in tropical
constitute a major threat to food security and regions. It is referred to as a “miracle tree” or
availability in Nigeria (Ofuya, 2001). Losses a “wonder tree” of significant socio-economic
often range between 40 and 100% in importance because of its several nutritional,
unprotected cowpea (Akinkurolere et al., pharmacological (Fuglie, 2001), anti-
2006; Madamba et al., 2006. hypertensive activity (Dangi et al., 2002) and
Over the years, especially in Nigeria and industrial applications (Foidl et al., 2001).
other parts of the world, successful Many researchers have tested the efficacy of
management of this insect pest, both on the moringa leaf powder (Obopile et al., 2012;
field and in storage, has been dominated by Kayode and Olaniyi, 2014), seed powder
synthetic chemical control methods such as (Obopile et al., 2012; Kayode and Olaniyi
use of pirimiphos methyl, fenitrothion, methyl 2014) and root powder (Obopile et al., 2012;
bromide and phosphine fumigant (Jackai and Race et al., 2012) as protectants against C.
Daoust, 1986). Due to the high prices of maculatus, on stored cowpea seeds. However,
synthetic pesticides, farmers and traders in none of the available research works on pest
most Nigerian markets indiscriminately apply control ability of M. oleifera has ever explored
cheap pesticides of high mammalian toxicity, the possibility of its root essential oil as a
to cowpea seeds; thus, exposing unsuspecting protectant against C. maculatus infestation on
buyers to chronic toxicity. stored cowpea seeds. Several metabolites have
 Essential oil extract from Moringa oleifera roots 73
been identified in Moringa roots (Paul and machine with revolution at 1425 Hz (Hertz)
Didia, 2012). Pterygospermin inhibits the per minute. Thirty grammes of dried M.
growth of many bacteria and fungi. It also oleifera roots were weighed into a thimble and
contains alkaloids; moringine, moringininine placed over a round bottom flask containing
and spirochin with traces of an essential oil 300 ml of 98% technical grade of n-hexane.
which has a pungent smell. Spirochin causes The extraction process involved the
nerve paralysis in organisms. Therefore, the condensation of n-hexane vapour over the
active principles in Moringa root oil extract powdered samples in the thimble. The extract
could be explored in developing an Integrated was used to treat seeds at the various
Pest Management (IPM) strategy for concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 ml per
controlling C. maculatus in stored cowpea 20.0 g cowpea seeds).
seeds (Ojiako et al., 2013). This study was A synthetic insecticide, Dichlorvos (DDVP:
aimed at assessing the efficacy of Moringa 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate
oleifera root essential oil extract against the (Nopest); molar mass: 220.98 g mol-1 and
cowpea beetle, C. maculatus. boiling point: 74.1 oC) was included in the
experiments as a check at 2.0 ml per 20.0 g
MATERIALS AND METHODS of cowpea seeds.

Rearing of the beetle. Stock culture of C. Number of eggs laid. Twenty grammes of
maculatus was raised on Ife-Brown Peduncle seeds treated, with different concentrations of
Cowpea (Ife BPC), obtained from the Institute essential oils at (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 ml) and
of Agricultural Research and Training 2.0 ml of Dichlorvos, were infested with five
(IAR&T) Ibadan, Nigeria. About 100 unsexed pairs of teneral adults, and the total number of
adults were infested on 200 g of clean Ife BPC, eggs laid were counted daily until all adults
inside each of four kliner jars. The kliner jars were dead. The seeds were kept to observe
were covered with lids having muslin cloth, the emergence of teneral adults. Data on
to allow aeration and prevent pests from number of eggs laid and total number of adult
escaping. The beetles were allowed to mate emerged were collected.
and lay eggs for seven days, after which they
were removed and seeds were watched for Fumigant and contact toxicity bioassays.
emergence of F 1 generation (teneral Twenty grammes of clean cowpea seeds were
adults).Culture was maintained at 29±5 oC and coated with different concentrations of
72±6% relative humidity Moringa roots oil extract, at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and
2.0 and 2.0 ml and Dichlorvos. Five pairs of
Collection and extraction of essential oils. teneral adults were used to infest treated seeds.
Roots of Moringa oleifera collected from the The jars were covered with an airtight lid, and
Agronomy garden, Department of Agronomy the experiment was replicated four times. For
and Forestry garden, Department of Forest contact toxicity bioassay, different
Resources Management, University of Ibadan concentrations of moringa roots oil extract at
in Nigeria were placed inside plastic buckets. 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 ml; and 2.0 ml of
The roots were chopped and washed Dichlorvos were applied on the dorsal thoracic
thoroughly with tap-water. They were air-dried region (notum) of five pairs of adult male and
in the Entomology Research laboratory at the female beetles inside petri-dish using Hamilton
Department of Crop Protection and syringe (Sigma R, USA, Model 705 N). Data
Environmental Biology University of Ibadan in on daily mortality were taken at 24, 48 and 72
Nigeria under ambient temperature of 29±5 oC hours after oil application. Percentage mortality
and relative humidity of 72±6%. Dried roots was expressed as:
were pulverised into powder, using a milling
74 O.Y. ALABI and M.M. ADEWOLE
Number of dead insects Seed germination (%)=
______________________________________________
x 100
Total number of insects introduced (Number of germinated seeds)
x 100
Data on percentage adult mortality were (Total number of seeds introduced)
corrected using Abbott’s (1925) formula:
Statistical analyses. All data were analysed
Pt = (Po – Pc) using analysis of variance (ANOVA)
x 100 GENSTAT software (Little and Hills, 1978).
(100 – Pc) Where there were significant differences,
means were separated using least significant
Where Pt = Corrected mortality; P0 = Observed difference (LSD) at 0.05 level of significance.
mortality on treatment; Pc = Control mortality.
RESULTS
Seed damage assessment. Five pairs of
teneral adults were introduced into 20 g of Oviposition and adult emergence. Table 1
treated and untreated cowpea seeds. shows the number of eggs laid and adult C.
Percentage weight loss was determined at maculatus that emerged from the different
30 and 60 days after Infestation using the treatments. The highest number of eggs
formula: (66.8±15.4) was laid on control (untreated)
seeds. The least eggs (6.5±2.4) were laid on
Weight loss (%) = Initial weight - Final weight cowpea seeds treated with 2.0 ml oil extract;
x 100 however, it was not significantly different from
Initial weight other rates of oil extracts.
The highest number of adults (152.3±18.0)
Percentage seed damaged was calculated as emerged from untreated seeds (Table 1). The
follows according to Adedire and Ajayi (1996) least number of adults (9.0±3.4) emerged
from seeds coated with 2.0 ml oil extract;
Seed damage (%) = Weight of damaged seeds however, it was not significantly different from
x 100
Total weight of seeds introduced in an arena other doses of oil extracts. Seeds treated with
Dichlorvos recorded 37.0±5.7 adults and was
Moisture content was corrected according to significantly higher than adults that emerged
Odeyemi and Daramola (2000): from the oil extracts.

Moisture content (%) =

TABLE 1. Efficacy of Moringa roots oil extracts and
(Average weight)
Dichlorvos on Callosobruchus maculatus egg laying
x 100 and adult emergence
(Initial weight)
Treatment Eggs laid Emerged adults
Seed viability test. Twenty five cowpea seeds
from each treated and untreated control were Dichlorvos (2.0 ml) 20.8 37.0
0.5 ml root extract 7.5 20.3
placed inside a 9 cm–diameter petri dish lined
1.0 ml root extract 8.0 15.5
with Whatman’s filter paper. Seeds were 1.5 ml root extract 11.8 11.8
moistened with water daily and watched for 2.0 ml root extract 6.5 9.0
germination. At 7 days after the experiment Control 66.8 152.3
set up, percentage seed germination was
LSD (0.05) 11.9 12.6
calculated as:
 Essential oil extract from Moringa oleifera roots 75
Fumigant toxicity. Data for fumigant toxicity exposure and oil concentrations. Mortality was
of Moringa root oil extract against adults of above 50% in all the treatments, apart from
C. maculatus are presented in Table 2. At 24 the control. At 24 hr after application of
hr after exposure to the treatments, mortality treatments, the highest adult mortality was
was highest on adults in 2.0 ml oil extract recorded from 2.0 ml (95.0%); but was not
(88.4%); but it was not significantly different significantly different (P<0.05) from mortality
(P>0.05) from mortalities on 1.0 ml (82.9%) recorded from Dichlorvos (89.7%). No adult
and 0.5 ml (80.6%). In Dichlorvos treated mortality was recorded from control seeds.
seeds, 66.7% mortality was recorded, but was Significant mortality was also recorded from
not significantly different from 1.5 ml 0.5 ml (72.5%), 1.0 ml (77.5%) and 1.5 ml
(73.4%). (78.8%).
The highest adult mortality was recorded Also, at 48 hr, 2.0 ml had the highest
on seeds treated with 2.0ml (96.3%); but it mortality of (97.5%), but was not significantly
was not significantly different from adults on different from Dichlorvos (98.3%), 0.5 ml
Dichlorvos (86.6%), 0.5 ml (87.9%), 1.0 ml (79.6%), 1.0 ml (79.9%), 1.5 ml (84.8%). No
(91.2%) and 1.5 ml (84.4%) at 48hr after adult mortality was recorded from untreated
exposure (Table 2). seeds (0.0%).
At 72 hr after exposure, a similar trend was At 72 hr after application, all the insects
observed like at 48 hr after exposure (Table were dead (100%) on the seeds treated with
2). The highest adult mortality was recorded 2.0 ml; however, the effect was not significant
on seeds treated with 2.0 ml (98.1%); but except when compared with the untreated
mortality was not significantly different from control, where no adult mortality was
adults on Dichlorvos (89.9%), and other recorded. From Dichlorvos, there was 99.2%
dosages of the oil. The overall mortality mortality, 0.5 ml (91.0%), 1.0 ml (92.2%),
increased with increase in time of exposure 0.5 ml (91.0%) mortalities and control had
across all the treatments (Table 2). 0.0% mortality (Table 3).

Contact toxicity of treated cowpea seeds. Seed damage and weight loss. At 30 days
Contact toxicity of Moringa root extracts, after infestation, the lowest seed damaged
against adult C. maculatus at 24, 48 and 72 (5.5%) was recorded in 2.0 ml treated seeds
hours after exposure is presented in Table 3. (Table 4). However, this was not significantly
Mortality increased with increase in hours of different from 1.5 ml (8.0%), Dichlorvos

TABLE 2. Fumigant toxicity of different concentrations of moringa roots oil extract and Dichlorvos on
Callosobruchus maculatus

Treatments (ml) Percentage mortality

24 hours 48 hours 72 hours

Dichlorvos (2.0 ml) 66.7 86.6 89.9

0.5 root extract 80.6 87.9 92.7
1.0 root extract 82.9 91.2 94.3
1.5 root extract 73.4 84.4 94.6
2.0 root extract 88.4 96.3 98.1
Control 0.0 50.7 58.6

LSD (0.05) 12.4 26.3 20.3

76 O.Y. ALABI and M.M. ADEWOLE
TABLE 3. Contact toxicity of different concentrations of moringa roots oil extract and Dichlorvos on
Callosobruchus maculatus

Treatments Percentage mortality

24 hours 48 hours 72 hours

Dichlorvos (2.0 ml) 89.7 98.3 99.2

0.5 ml 72.5 79.6 91.0
1.0 root extract 77.5 79.9 92.2
1.5 root extract 78.8 84.8 91.0
2.0 root extract 95.0 97.5 100
Control 0.0 50.7 58.6

LSD (0.05) 14.9 24.8 14.0

TABLE 4. Percentage seed damaged and weight losses in infested cowpea seeds treated with different
concentrations of Moringa roots essential oil

Treatments % seed damaged % seed damaged % weight loss a % weight loss

at 30 DAI at 60 DAI at 30 DAI at 60 DAI

Dichlorvos (2.0 ml) 8.1 8.7 5.2 9.5

0.5 ml root extract 9.1 9.4 7.5 10.6
1.0ml root extract 8.3 10.6 7.0 8.7
1.5 ml root extract 8.0 8.2 6.6 7.3
2.0 ml root extract 5.5 7.6 5.1 6.0
Control 15.4 27.2 10.0 14.3

LSD (0.05) 3.6 2.7 4.0 7.2

(8.1%), 1.0 ml (8.3%); but it was significantly similar trend in seed weight loss was also
lower than 0.5 ml (9.1%). The highest obtained at 60 DAI in which 2.0 ml had the
percentage seed damaged was recorded from least percentage loss of 6.0% (Table 4). This
the untreated (control) seeds (15%). was not significantly different (P>0.05) from
Similarly, at 60 DAI, the lowest seed weight losses recorded from Dichlorvos
damaged, 7.6% was recorded from 2.0 ml (9.5%), 0.5 ml (10.6%), 1.0 ml (8.7%) and
treated seeds; though the effect was not 1.5 ml (7.3 %). The highest percentage seed
significantly different from Dichlorvos (8.7%) weight loss of 14.3% was obtained from the
(Table 4). The highest percentage seed untreated seeds.
damaged, 27.2% was recorded from untreated
seeds. A damage of 10.6% was recorded from Seed viability. The different concentrations
seeds treated with 1.0 ml at 60 DAI. of Moringa root extracts did not adversely
At 30 DAI, the lowest seed weight loss of affect seed viability (Table 5). Total (100%)
5.1% was recorded from seeds treated with germination of seeds was recorded from
2.0 ml, but the effect was not significantly untreated seeds; but was not significantly
different (P>0.05) from Dichlorvos (5.2%) different (P >0.05) from 0.5 ml (96%), 1.0 ml
(Table 4). The highest weight loss of 10% was (98%), 1.5 ml (98%) and 2.0 ml (99%). A
recorded from the untreated seeds 30 DAI. A seed viability of 92% was recorded from
 Essential oil extract from Moringa oleifera roots 77
TABLE 5. Seed viability of cowpea seeds treated with Sadeghi et al. (2006) also demonstrated the
different concentrations of Moringa roots oil extracts efficacy of neem oil and plant lectins against
target pests, respectively. Several researchers
Treatments Seed viability (%)
(Kayode and Olaniyi, 2014; Ileke and Oni,
Dichlorvos (2.0 ml) 92.0 2011; Udo, 2011; Akinneye and Ogungbite,
0.5 ml root extract 96.0 2013) demonstrated the efficacy of extracts
1.0 ml root extract 98.0 and powders plants: Azadirachta indica,
1.5 ml root extract 98.0 Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, A. occidentale
2.0 ml root extract 99.0
on target pest.
Control 100.0
In contrast, Dichlorvos considerably
LSD (0.05) 7.2 reduced the number of adult emergence; this
could be due to the ability of the synthetic
pesticide, Dichlorvos to impede the functioning
Dichlorvos treated seeds and was significantly of central nervous system thereby disrupting
lower that all the other treatments (P<0.05). the growth and reduced larval survival.

DISCUSSION Contact toxicity and fumigant action.

Significant differences were observed in the
Oviposition and adult emergence. The mortality of adult C. maculatus as oil
marked differences observed on the emergence concentration and exposure time increased.
of adult C. maculatus reared on treated and Also, mortality and toxicity were dose
untreated cowpea seeds in Table 1 indicate that dependent and as the concentration level
oil extract from Moringa roots had marked increased, the mortality and toxicity increased
effects on the developmental stages, which in in level of exposure (Tables 2 and 3). Moringa
turn affected emergence. All concentrations roots oil extract (MROE) and synthetic
of Moringa roots oil extract reduced the pesticide (Dichlorvos) were toxic to C.
emergence of teneral adult, suggesting that the maculatus, and the toxicity was dose
treatments impaired the developmental stages dependent.
of C. maculatus. The reduction in number of The resultant high mortalities and toxicities
eggs laid could be due to the pungent smell of adult C. maculatus could be due to high
present in the oil, which may have deterred toxic effect of the roots oil extract. Paul and
the insect from laying eggs because the Didia (2012) documented the active principles
essential oil of moringa roots have been in roots and the following constituents;
reported to have a pungent smell (Paul and pterygostermin, alkaloids, traces of essential
Didia, 2012). Consequently, this may have oil, phytosterol, waxes and resins, were found.
been responsible for the inability of most of Pterygostermin have inhibitory effects on some
the adult insects to emerge as the application bacteria and fungi. Toxicity of the essential
of oils were found to disrupt growth and oil may have led to inability of the pest to feed
reduced larval survival as well as disruption on the coated cowpea seed due to starvation,
of life cycle of the pest. choking and consequently death of the insects
Arannilewa et al. (2006) reported that the (Ebadollahi, 2013).
application of oil extract covered the outer layer The fumigant action of Eucalyptus
(testa) of the seeds, which serve as food intertexta, E. sargentii and E. camaldulensis
poison to the adult insects; while some of the essential oils against C. maculatus Fab.,
oil applied penetrated into the endosperm and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Tribolium
germ layer thereby suppressing oviposition and castaneum (Herbst) were investigated by
larval development. Elumalai et al. (2010) and Negahban and Moharrmipour (2007). The
78 O.Y. ALABI and M.M. ADEWOLE
three essential oils had fumigant toxicities be a suitable replacement if cowpea seeds will
against the insect pests. Essential oil vapours not be stored for a long period of time.
from three plants, Lavandula hybrida, The efficacies of treatments (Moringa roots
Rosmarinus officinalis and Eucalyptus oil extract and dichlorvos) varied, depending
globulus, were toxic to all the immature stages, on the doses and duration of exposure. The
larvae and pupae, of Acanthoscelides obtectus current result agrees with previous researchers
(Papachristes and Stamopoulos, 2002). (Adedire and Akinneye, 2004; Mbailo et al.,
The effectiveness of oil extract from M. 2006), who showed that powder and ethanolic
oleifera roots against C. maculatus could be extracts of tree marigold, Tithonia diversifolia,
due to its pungency (Panchal et al., 2011). seed oils from Azadiracta indica, Ricinus
Moringa oleifera root powders caused communis, Thevetia nerifolia, Balanites
reduction in seed damage on cowpea infested eagyptiaca, Moringa oleifera and Khaya
with C. maculatus (Race et al., 2012). Also, senegalensis protected the stored cowpea
Moringa oleifera root extracts recorded seeds against Callosobruchus maculatus
58.87% weevil perforation index on stored infestation.
cowpea grains (Ojiako et al., 2013). Adenekan
et al. (2013) reported that Moringa oleifera CONCLUSION
powders from leaves, stem bark, roots and
flowers had insecticidal effects on oviposition, All the concentrations of Moringa roots oil
eclosion and development of C. maculatus on extract reduce egg laying, causing high
cowpea seeds with flower powders having mortalities of adults in contact and fumigant
significantly higher effects compared with tests, reduction in adult emergence and seed
other plant parts. damage. It is noteworthy that Moringa oil
extract at 2.0 ml 20 g-1 seed performs similar
Seed damage and weight loss. The number to the synthetic pesticide: dichlorvos, thus
of seeds damaged by all treatments increased have a great potential to protect cowpea seeds
with duration of the study period (Table 4). in storage against C. maculatus infestation if
This may be attributed to increase in the total timely applications are made. Currently cowpea
number of C. maculatus and this may have varieties with relative resistance to C.
led to degradation of the effectiveness of the maculatus have been identified. These varieties
Moringa roots oil extract, which served as can be planted by famers to reduce damage
protectants with time. Ogendo et al. (2004), caused by C. maculatus infestation both on
similarly reported that the use of natural plant the field and in store and when infestation is
powders such as Lantana camara and high they can be treated with oil extract from
Tephrosia vogelii, significantly reduce grain moringa roots thus reducing reliance on
damaged in stored maize. Cowpea seeds, synthetic pesticide. Farmers may consider
coated with higher dosage of Moringa roots protecting cowpea seeds with moringa root
oil extract suffers significant reduction in seed extracts to reduce C. maculatus infestation and
damage and lower weight loss possibly due to preserve seeds for the next cropping
reduced oviposition and number of eggs that season.Thus, Moringa oleifera roots oil
hatched; therefore, reducing larval feeding, this extract can be incorporated into a sustainable
consequently lowered the percentages of seeds pest management programme for the control
damaged and seed weight losses. The root of stored product insect pests such as
extract of 2.0 ml compared favourably with Callosobruchus maculatus on stored cowpea
the synthetic, Dichlorvos (Table 4), and could seeds.
 Essential oil extract from Moringa oleifera roots 79
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