EFFECTIVENESS OF SOME ORGANIC EXTRACTS (NEEM AND GARLIC EXTRACTS) IN THE CONTROL OF STORAGE PESTS OF GRAINS

Abstract

This research set out to determine the effectiveness of some organic extracts (neem and garlic extracts) in the control of storage pests of grains. The research also studied the effect of the extracts on duration for progeny emergence in terms of numbers of progeny emergence after six weeks. An experimental research design was employed for the study. Four research questions were developed and answered based on the purpose of the study. Also, six null hypotheses were formulated and tested at the probability of 0.05 level of significance. Ten pairs of adult insect pests of each grain (maize, rice and beans) were used. Nine treatments, twenty-seven replicates and nine controls were set up using neem, garlic and the mixture of neem and garlic respectively. A daily observational checklist was developed and used for the collection of data through direct observation. The research questions were answered using mean and percentages, while ANOVA was used to test the hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that the various extracts neem, garlic and neem &garlic mixtures used are effective against the stored grains pests. The result of the hypotheses tested showed that a significant difference existed in the mean and percentage mortality rates of insects in the treatment compared with the control groups. It is therefore, recommended that the general farming society be provided with these knowledge and practices of using organic extracts in the storage of grains.