Hot pepper (Capsicum frutescens) as corn seed protectant
1991
Tolentino, M.S. | Fernandez, P.G. (Philippines Univ., Los Banos, College, Laguna (Philippines). Dept. of Agronomy)
Practical alternatives of synthetic seed protectants are being sought. Hot pepper has been identified as one of those botanicals used on-farm for crop and seed protection. A study was conducted to verify and quantify its effect on two corn (Zea mays) varieties. Two levels (1 and 3 percent, w/w or v/w) of powdered pepper flesh or seed or flesh extract were applied on initially weevil-free corn seed placed in air-tight bottle approximately twice the volume of seed. Weevils (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch) were introduced and the treatments were evaluated for percentage germination, weevil survival and seed moisture content at different storage periods. Treatments differed in effectiveness depending on the variety. In general, however the fleshy extract was the most effective seed protectant, maintaining germination above 80 percent after six months. Untreated seeds had 0 percent germination after four months. Powdered pepper seed was effective only up to four months while powdered flesh did not effectively prevent deterioration of seed quality. Seed moisture and weevil count increased through storage and more for treatments that gave lower germination
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