Research article
Studies to evaluate the effectiveness of natural protectants in controlling Prostephanus truncatus and Sitophilus zeamays in stored maize using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. The treatments consisted of natural protectants viz., pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium), Neorautanenia mitis, N. mitis with talc as carrier, Gnidia kraussiana powder and untreated control. Actellic Super Dust included as a standard insecticide control. The data collected included the number of dead and live insects, number of damaged and undamaged maize seeds, number of holes per seed, percentage damage and weight loss. Seeds treated with Actellic super dust, pyrethrum and G. kraussiana powder had significantly lower number of live insects and damaged seeds as compared to untreatedcontrol. Among the natural protectants, pyrethrum and G. kraussiana powder showed good potential in protecting maize grain against P. truncatus and S. zeamays. Positive and significant correlations between the numbers of live insects with number of damaged seeds, percentage damaged seeds, average number of holes per seed and weight loss were observed.
UDSM Rockfeller Program and SIDA SAREC