The maize weevil,Sitophilus zeamaisMotschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is one of the most destructive pests of stored cereals. Knowledge of the life history and biology is important to the development of an integrated pest management program. Investigation was carried out on developmental biology ofS. zeamaison four main cereal crops, maize, rice, sorghum, and millet, under laboratory conditions. Egg incubation, oviposition periods, and larval instar development were not different significantly among the food hosts. Number of eggs laid varied significantly among the cereal grains; mean fecundity was highest on maize (67.2±3.16) and lowest on millet (53.8±0.17). Number of immature (larva and pupa) and adult stages varied significantly among the cereal grains. There exist four larval instars with a varied mean head capsule width, with a mean total instar larval developmental period of 23.1, 22.2, 22.2, and 21.6 d on maize, rice, sorghum, and millet, respectively. There was linear relationship and significant correlation between the stages of larval development and head capsule width. The mean developmental period from egg to adult varied, being highest on maize (34.7 d) and lowest on sorghum (33.5 d).

Dry artificial diet pellets prepared with maize, cassava chips, and amino acid supplements (lysine and methionine) were evaluated for mass culture of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a highly polyphagous pest of many stored grains. Evaluation was done in the laboratory at temperature 26 ± 2 °C, 60–70% RH, 12:12 L:D photoperiod. The artificial diet was compounded from different proportions of maize (M) variety TZPB-SW-R, cassava (C) variety TMS-2110, and amino acid supplements, and was pelletized into 6 mm diameter pellets on which five pairs of one—day—old S. zeamais were bioassayed. The diet M9C1 (90% M and 10% C) was the most suitable diet with comparatively shorter developmental period (34.8 days) and the highest F1 emergence of progeny (145.4) compared to the control, M10C0 (100% M and 0% C).

No abstract

Purpose This study was conducted to determine the effect of compost supplemented with jatropha cake on maize (Zea mays L) yield in a degraded soil and their residual effects on soil fertility in Ilorin, Nigeria. Methods Field trials were conducted at Kwara State University Teaching and Research Farm, Malete, in 2016/2017 cropping season. The treatments consisted of control, un-amended compost Grade B supplemented with Jatropha cake AJ (30% Grade B + 70% JC) at 1.5 t/ha, BJ (30% Grade B + 70% JC) at 2.0 t/ha, CJ (50% Grade B + 50% JC) at 2.5 t/ha including NPK at 60 kg N/ha. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Results Maize grain yield (3.1 t/ha) was obtained from CJ at 2.5 t/ha this was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than that of NPK treatment (2.2 t/ha) after the first cropping. At second trials, maize grain yield values gotten from CJ at 2.5 t/ha were also significantly (p < 0.05) greater than that of NPK values. Treatments CJ at 2.5 t/ha significantly (p < 0.05) improved soil pH, available P and exchangeable K. Conclusion Fertilizer 50% Grade B + 50% Jatropha cake at 2.5 t/ha had a significant and positive effect on soil fertility after harvesting of maize when compared with NPK in both cropping.

No abstract