INSECTICIDAL PROPERTIES OF THE EXTRACTS OF RICINUS COMMUNIS SEEDS AGAINST THE COWPEA BEETLE CALLOSOBRUCHUS MACULATUS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.

Abstract

Laboratory experiments were conducted under controlled tem‌perature (27 ± 1°C) and R.H. (65 ± 5%) to test efficiency and persis‌tence of Ricinus communes seeds extracts (petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone and methanol) against the cowpea beetle, Calfosobruchus macu‌latus F. (Bruchidae) infesting cowpea seeds. The residual effect was studied after different periods (5, 10, 15, ZO, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 days) from treating seeds with extracts. Results showed that methanol and acetone extracts gave higher effect up to 30 days, therefore, they could be used as protectants by continuous exposure of cowpea seeds. Germination of treated cowpea seeds was affected at 50 days after treatment.