Abstract

Storage of common bean and cowpea is limited due to different species of bruchids. Zabrotes subfasciatus and Callosobruchus maculatus are the most important species of bruchids attacking stored common beans and cowpeas, causing yield losses reaching up to 38-100%. Two experiments, one on the effect of different rates of Filter Cake against Z. subfasciatus on common bean, and the other experiment on the effect of different rates of Filter Cake against C. maculatus on cowpea were conducted at Melkassa in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Half liter capacity transparent plastic bags were used for the experiment. About 0-12 h old ten unsexed Z. subfasciatus adults were introduced to common bean seeds. For cowpea experiment, 0-12 h old 10 C. maculatus were used with similar procedures with that of common bean. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design. Different crops and insect related data were collected. The results obtained demonstrated that significant differences (P<0.05) were observed among the treated and un treated seeds. The rate of mortality was significantly (P<0.05) higher in all the rates of filter cake when compared to the untreated check 3 days after treatment application. Percent weight loss was nil in all the treatments on common bean and cowpea, while it was above 10% in the untreated check. The germination percentage was not impaired by the treatments.  From the current result, it can be concluded that Filter Cake can be used for the control of Z. subfasciatus and C. maculatus.

Key words: Callosobruchus maculatus, common bean, cowpea, filter cake, mung bean, Zabrotes subfasciatus.