Control of Dry Seed Weevils with Cooking Oil

Abstract

Purified soybean oil, with and without additives, purified corn oil with additivies, and raw corn oil without additives were tested for the control of Callosobruchus chinensis in highly infested cowpea seeds (Vigna unguiculata). Each oil type was tested at rates of 0 , 5, 10, and 15 ml/kg of dry seeds. The two higher dosages provided a very effective weevil control for the duration of the test (8 months). Seed germination was not affected by the oil treatments. The appearance and palatability of the seeds were improved.