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Efficacy of diatomaceous earth formulations against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in Kersting’s groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum Harms): influence of dosage rate and relative humidity

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Abstract

The pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus F. is a key pest to stored Kersting’s groundnut, Macrotyloma geocarpum Harms. There are many reports evaluating various diatomaceous earths (DEs) against stored product pests, but there is limited information on the efficacy of these materials against C. maculatus and none on Kerstings groundnut. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the DEs, Diatomenerde, Probe-A, Fossil shield, and Damol-D1 against C. maculatus in seeds of M. geocarpum. Each DE was applied at 0.50, 1.00, 1.50, and 2.00 g kg−1, and each treatment infested with newly emerged C. maculatus in petri dishes. The set up was maintained at 50 and 80 % RH regimes at ambient temperature. Data were collected on adult mortality (at 24 h, 48 h, 7 days, and 14 days), oviposition, and progeny emergence of the beetles, and their effects on weight loss and viability of seeds. Probe-A proved the most effective against the beetle, followed by Damol-D1 and Fossil shield. Adult mortality increased progressively with the increasing dosage of DE and exposure time. Seeds treated at 2.00 or 1.50 g kg−1 recorded significantly lower number of eggs and F1 emergence compared with the lower dosages in all DEs. Increased DE concentration consistently decreased seed weight loss due to low beetle infestation, but there was no significant effect on seed viability. DEs were more effective at 50 % RH than at 80 % RH. Probe-A or Damol-D1 applied at 1.50 or 2.00 g kg−1 at 50 % RH is a viable alternative for preventing C. maculatus infestation in stored Kersting’s groundnut.

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Acknowledgments

The research was supported by Alexander von Humboldt Foundation during a 3-month Research Stay at the Humboldt Humboldt-Universitätzu Berlin, Germany. Facilities of the Department of Urban Plant Ecophysiology of the university were used for the experiment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University for Development Studies, P.O. Box 1882, Tamale, Ghana

    Benjamin K. Badii

  2. Division of Urban Plant Ecophysiology, Faculty for Agriculture and Horticulture, Humboldt-University of Berlin, Lentzeallee 55/57, 14195, Berlin, Germany

    Charles Adarkwah & Christian Ulrichs

  3. University of Energy and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 214, Sunyani, Brong-Ahafo, Ghana

    Daniel Obeng-Ofori

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  1. Benjamin K. Badii
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  2. Charles Adarkwah
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  3. Daniel Obeng-Ofori
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  4. Christian Ulrichs
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Correspondence to Benjamin K. Badii.

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Communicated by C. G. Athanassiou.

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Badii, B.K., Adarkwah, C., Obeng-Ofori, D. et al. Efficacy of diatomaceous earth formulations against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in Kersting’s groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum Harms): influence of dosage rate and relative humidity. J Pest Sci 87, 285–294 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-013-0548-0

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