EVALUATION OF QUALITATIVE LOSSES OF MAIZE GENOTYPES TO Sitophilus zeamais (MOTSCH) (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) AND ITS RESPONSE TO PLANT EXTRACTS UNDER LABORATORY CONDITION.

The research work was carried out in the Grain Research, Training and Storage Management Cell (GRTSMC), Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad to evaluate the qualitative losses caused by maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) on eight maize genotypes viz: NK-8441, MMRI-Yellow, 30K08, Agati-2002, Swl-2002, Ev-6098, Ev-1098 and Pak-Afghan and its response to plant extracts. The experiment was conducted in a walk-in environmental chamber maintained at 28, 32 and 35°C with 60-65% relative humidity. The experiment was performed using Completely Randomized Design with three replications for each treatment. Qualitative losses included percentage moisture content, crude protein, ash, fat and crude fiber. The data were recorded after 120 days . High moisture content was observed in MMRI-Yellow and lowest moisture content was observed in 30K08 while high percent amount of ash, fiber and fat was observed in MMRI - Yellow and low amount was observed in 30K08. At the end different concentrations of three plant extracts including Terminalia chebula, Chicorium intybus, Glycyrrhiza glabra were used to investigate the percent mortality of the tests insect. Percent mortality data was recorded after 24, 48 and 72 hours of treatment. Maximum mortality of 89.09% was observed by using of Chicorium intybus at 5% concentrations after an exposure period of 72 hours while minimum mortality of 25% was observed by using Glycyrrhiza glabra at 10% concentration after an exposure period of 24 hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]