Use of Essential Oil of Eucalyptus globulus Leaves against Sitophilus zeamais Motsch
J. Ngongo-Kapenga
Institut Supérieur d’Études Agronomiques de Mukongo, P.O Box 679, Mbuji-Mayi, Kasaï Oriental, Democratic Republic of Congo.
S. Minga Kwete
Unit of Phytopathology and Crop Protection, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Kinshasa, P.O Box 117, Kinshasa XI, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
S. Yefile-Mposhi
Institut Supérieur Pédagogique de Mbuji-Mayi, Mbuji-Mayi, KasaÏ Oriental, Democratic Republic of Congo.
A. Kalonji-Mbangila
Institut National Pour l’Étude et la Recherche Agronomiques, Centre de Recherche de Mvuazi, Kongo Central Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.
G. Mulumba-Badibanga
Institut International Pour l’Étude et la Recherche Agronomiques, Centre de Recherche de Gandajika, Kasaï Oriental, Lomami Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.
A. Ngombo-Nzokwani
Unit of Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Kinshasa, P.O Box 117 Kinshasa XI, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
N. Kalonji-Kabemba
Institut National Pour l’Étude et la Recherche Agronomiques, Centre de Recherche de Mvuazi, Kongo Central Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.
B. Kalala Kalala
Institut Facultaire des Sciences, Kinshasa, Kinshasa Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.
A. Kalonji-Mbuyi
Unit of Phytopathology and Crop Protection, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Kinshasa, P.O Box 117, Kinshasa XI, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo and Centre de Régional de l’Énergie Atomique de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
M. Muengula-Manyi *
Unit of Phytopathology and Crop Protection, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Kinshasa, P.O Box 117, Kinshasa XI, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo and Institut National Pour l’Étude et la Recherche Agronomiques, Direction Général, P.O Box 2037 Kinshasa, Kinshasa province, Democratic Republic of Congo.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To assess in laboratory conditions, the efficacy of essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus leaves against the infestation due to maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais, the main insect pest of stored maize grains.
Study Design: This study was conducted as two separate trials. Each trial was performed using a completely randomized design with 5 treatments repeated 3 times.
Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in the laboratory Unit of Phytopathology and Crop protection, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Kinshasa, between February and April 2018.
Methodology: Two trials (in Petri dishes and in cotton bags) were conducted separately from each other, while treatments used were the same. Trials were conducted according to a completely randomized design with 5 treatments repeated 3 times. Treatments used corresponded to 5 different volumes (0, 15, 20, 25 and 30 ml) of essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus leaves. In each trial, data collected were the rate of S. zeamais mortality and percentage of maize grains damaged.
Results: In general, statistical analysis showed significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments used. There was variation over time of the percentage of S. zeamais mortality as a function of the volume of essential oil of E. globulus. The volume of 30ml of essential oil caused higher mortality compared to other treatments. The percentage of maize grains damaged increased on control, while it decreased on maize grains treated with essential oil of E. globulus leaves.
Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed that essential oil of E. globulus leaves can help to protect maize grains stored against infestation due to maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais.
Keywords: Essential oil, Eucalyptus globulus, Sitophilus zeamais, stored maize grains