CONTROL OF COWPEA WEEVIL (CALLOSOBRUCHUS MACULASTUS) USING INDIGENOUS STORAGE METHODS

Abstract

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and its subspecies from the genus Vigna and family Fabaceae is one of the most important food legume crops in the semi-arid tropics covering Asia, Africa, Southern Europe, and Central and South America. Cowpea is known for its nutritional composition especially protein content and is often recommended as foodstuff to help balance the nutritional status of consumers. Weevil infestation however, has been one of the odds associated with the storage of cowpea in an attempt to ensure prolong shelf-life and crop quality. The study was conducted between December and May on “beng pella”, a cultivar of cowpea commonly grown in Nyankpala in the Tolon District of Northern Region. The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of some indigenous storage methods on the control of cowpea weevils. Two indigenous treatment methods commonly used in Northern Ghana for the storage of cowpeas and the triple bagging method were adopted. The treatment methods were wood ash from mahogany (Khaya senegalensis), dried powdered orange peels, and polyethylene liners and nylon sacks for triple bagging. Samples were analyzed based on physical characterization using number of hole count, germination test and live and dead weevils count. From the results, wood ash and orange peel treatments were more effective in controlling Callosobruchus maculatus, followed by triple bagging. The controls were in a state not acceptable economically and agronomically.