Effect of Cowpea Seed Beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus) Infestation on Selected Landraces of Bambara Groundnut During Storage

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the effect of Callosobruchus maculatus infestation on selected Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean) landraces in Gombe during storage to determine the Landrace (s) that are less susceptible to infestation caused by C. maculatus during storage. The trial was done in the Botany laboratory of Gombe State University, Gombe. Seeds were collected from five different Landraces, 40 grams each of healthy and C. maculatus infestation free seeds were infested with two males and three females. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replicates was used to assess the effects of C. maculatus infestation on the selected landraces of Bambara groundnut during storage. The results of the analysis of variance displayed significant differences (p≤ 0.05) among the parameters studied. It indicated that the Mottled and Cream landraces are relatively less susceptible and witness lower damage from the bruchids attack 14.6 (36%) and 17 (46%), whereas Red and Black landraces are more susceptible 24 (61 %) and 22 (57 %) (recorded higher damage from the C. maculatus in terms of percentage weight loss recorded). These results showed the existence of variation among the different Bambara groundnut landraces used due to the infestation of C. maculatus. It can be observed from this study that the use of infestation free landraces at storage time may perhaps be a worthwhile and auspicious factor for integrated pest management especially on bruchids in Bambara groundnuts. additionally, Mottle and Cream landraces might be employed as sources of resistance genes for the subsequent plant improvement program.