Diversity of plant species used in the control of pests of stored grains and legumes, a case study in Sagazi Parish of Buikwe District

Abstract

Sagazi parish, the study site is found within lugazi municipality, it comprises four villages; (Kisasi, Mayindo, Kasininyina and Sagazi) and boarders Mabira forest. Being blessed with very fertile clay-loam soils and reliable rainfall makes it every productive parish agriculturally hence a food basket for the district. It is very important that crops be kept for long periods of time in order to ensure food security. This is possible through use of preservatives which include among others plant materials. In this study, the various plant species used to control pests of stored grains and legumes were recorded. The data was collected within a period of two weeks and this was achieved through use of questionnaire in which key informants were interviewed, their ideas and opinions were recorded. On analysis of the data using the MS Excel, it was found out that there were a number of pests ( Sitophilus oryzea; destroyed both stored grains and legumes, Sitophilus granaries,Sitotrogacerealella and Sitophilus zeamais attacked only stored grains and Callosobruchus maculates and Acanthoscelides obtectus attacked only legumes) with the pests for grains being dominant. The most used plant species was the red pepper plant and the most effective method to control pests was usage of red pepper powder. It’s recommended that more awareness be created on the use of plants or plant materials to control pests and that further research be carried out on the documented plant species to determine the active ingredients in them.