Abstract:

A laboratory study was carried out to evaluate the effect of powders of Zingiber officinale and Piper guineense as direct admixtures at different ratios (Z100:P0, Z0:P100, Z25:P75, Z75:P25, Z50:P50) against maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais to determine insect mortality and grain damage as well as progeny production on treated and untreated grains. The experiment was fitted into complete randomized design and replicated four times while significant means were compared using least significant difference at 5% probability. Results obtained showed significant insect mortality between treatment ratios and exposure time. P. guineense alone and in combination in a ratio of P75:Z25 gave significant mortality with a reduction in grain damage and reduced progeny production. The incorporation of botanicals into traditional grain storage system is hereby advocated.