Biopesticide Potential of Clove Oil Against Maize and Sorghum Storage Weevils Sitophilus species in Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, maize is a staple food grown widely by 90% of farmers. The government has identified sorghum for flour blending to reduce dependence on maize and to improve food security and nutrition. Despite the importance of these cereals, the weevils, Sitophilus species cause 40% damage to maize and sorghum in Kenya. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate Clove oil biopesticide potential against Sitophilus spp. on maize and sorghum. The experiment comprised of control (T1), clove oil treatments T2 (1.0 µl), T3 (0.5 µl), T4(0.25 µl), and T5(0.125 µl). Maize and sorghum grains (20gm) were mixed with clove oil, and 20 unsexed weevils. Weevils’ mortality data was recorded after 24 and 48 hours. Data were subjected to ANOVA, and means were separated using Fisher's protected least significant difference test (p≤ 0.05). There was a significant difference (P<0.001) between the treated maize and the control after 24 and 48 hours of treatment. In T2, mean weevil mortality >17.8±1.3 was recorded in sorghum at 24 and 48 hours. There was a significant difference (P<0.001) between the control and T2 and T3 sorghum grains. The Sitophilus spp weevils were susceptible to clove oil, a potential biopesticide against Sitophilus spp on stored maize and sorghum.