Assessment on Weight Loss of Maize Seeds (Jibat Variety) Caused by Maize Weevil (Sitophilus Zeamais Motsch.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) after Treated by Botanical Powder under Laboratory Condition

The present study was emphasized on assessment of weight loss of maize seeds (Jibat variety) caused by maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) after treated by botanical powder under Laboratory condition”. Higher percent of weight loss (50.04%) was registered by control at 40 days after application; however, no maize seed was lost under plastics treated by malathion 5% dust; Calpurnia aurea recorded 3.41% of maize seed was lost at rate of 2%; Justice schrimperiana recorded 3.38% of maize seed was lost at rate of 2% and lower maize seed weight loss was recorded under treatment applied by Eucalyptus globules(2.75%), Vernonia amygdalina (2.88%) and Leonotis ocimifolia (2.85%) at 2% of rate respectively. Eighty days after exposure, maize seed weight loss was recorded in Justica schrimperiana (14.67% to 10 %) at a rate of 2% to 11%; Vernonia amygdalina (13% to 9%) at a rate of 2% to 11%; Eucalyptus globules (12.33% to 7.33%) at a rate of 2% to 11%; Calpurnia aurea (6.67% to 3.33%) at a rate of 2% to 11% respectively; malathion 5% dust (no weight loss), However, up to 285 fold weight loss was recorded from the untreated control after 80 days of treatment exposure. Hundred twenty days after exposure, maize seed weight loss was recorded in Justica schrimperiana (7.45% to 5.18 %) at a rate of 2% to 11%; Vernonia amygdalina (4.58% to 2.24%) at a rate of 5% to 11%; Eucalyptus globules (3.75% to 1.33%) at a rate of 2% to 11%; Calpurnia aurea (4.08% to 1.12%) at a rate of 2% to 11% respectively; malathion 5% dust (no weight loss), untreated control 300.79% weight loss was recorded after 120 days of exposure. Generally, maize seed weight loss was increased at lower rate and decreased at higher rate and highly increased under control as the time extended and no any damage in maize seed treated by malathion 5% dust.