LAUSR

Abstract The insecticidal efficacy of ozone was evaluated against the adults of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and C. chinensis L. on stored cowpea seeds under laboratory conditions. Ozone was assessed at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g/m3. The effect of ozone treatments on the adult mortality after 1, 3, 5 and 7 days of treatment, progeny production after 45 days, cowpea seed weight loss, seed germination and chemical constituents of cowpea seeds were determined. Adult mortality of C. maculatus and C. chinensis was improved with the increase in ozone concentration. Thus, all tested concentrations caused complete adult mortality of C. chinensis after 7 days of treatment, while the concentrations of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g/m3 caused complete adult mortality of C. maculatus after the same periods. Progeny of both species was significantly decreased in all ozone concentrations after 45 days of treatment. Nevertheless, strong suppression in progeny production was achieved at the highest concentration of ozone (2.0 g/m3). Also, the ozone treatment at the highest concentration protected the cowpea seeds from damage caused by C. maculatus and C. chinensis for 45 days. In addition, there was no significant effect of ozone treatments on the cowpea seed germination compared with untreated seeds. Moreover, the chemical analysis of treated cowpea seeds showed a slight decrease in protein, fat, carbohydrate, moisture, total phenolics, total flavonoids and tannins contents, and a slight increase in fiber and ash contents compared with untreated cowpea seeds. Our findings suggest the ozone can be effectively used for the control C. maculatus and C. chinensis and can provide sufficient protection of stored cowpea seeds.