POTENTIALS OF Piper guineence (Schum and Thom) AND Mondora myristica (Gaertn) FOR THE PROTECTION OF STORED MAIZE (Zea mays) AGAINST Sitophilus Zeamais

📄 Project Abstract

Undamaged and uninfested maize grains were hand picked, packaged in moisture proof package and disinfested in the deep freezer for 96 hours. Thirty six sets (500g per set) of disinfested maize were weighed into prepared containers. Each set of maize was infested with 200 live maize weevils (Sitophilus zeamais). The weevils were reared on whole maize at room temperature inside a plastic bucket covered with muslin cloth. Graded levels (0 to 10%) of coarsely ground spices Monodora myristica and Piper guineense were introduced into the infested maize samples. The content was mixed and covered with cotton material held in place with rubber bands. Contents were stored for a period of one month. Protein content of the stored samples was monitored weekly. Results show that significant differences (P<0.05) existed between samples. After storage treated samples were analysed for the effect of the spices on seed viability and extent of damage done by the weevils. Results show that Piper guineens...