Different extracts from seven plant species were assayed against the cowpea beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus) in the laboratory. The plants were extracted sequentially with petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl alcohol. The petroleum ether extract of each was fractionated into sap and unsap, then identified by GC chromatography. Also compounds isolated from chloroform and alcohol extracts of Citrullus colocynthis and petroleum ether extract of Nicandra physaloides were tested for their toxicity against the adult beetle. The sensitivity of the adults to various crude extracts revealed great variation in effectiveness. Petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of Nicandra physaloides proved to be the most toxic in comparison to other extracts tested, while petroleum ether extracts of Curcuma longa proved to be the least effective. All the fatty acid fractions of the seven plant species were toxic to the adult beetles at the tested concentrations. N. physaloides, Schinus terebinthifolius and Dodonaea viscosa resulted in 100% mortality of adults at the highest concentration tested (1.0%). Using 1.0% unsap fraction of Dodonaea viscosa resulted in 100% mortality between the adults. The least percentage mortality between the adult beetles recorded (22%) was for unsap fraction of T. orientalis at concentration of 0.0625% but increased to 80.0% mortality at concentration of 1.0%. The compounds isolated from chloroform and alcohol extracts of C. colocynthis and petroleum ether extract of N. physaloides proved to be highly efficient against C. maculatus adults.
The anti-inflammatory effect of three plants of Cucurbitaceae family: Ecballium elaterium, Cucumis prophetarum and Luffa cylindrica were studied using their petroleum ether and alcohol extracts. The recorded LD50 due to i.p. administration of petroleum ether of E. elaterium and L. cylindrica and alcohol of C.prophetarum, as representative extracts, were 3.4, 0.45 and 1.5 g/kg b.wt., respectively. The carrageenan induced edema in rats was significantly reduced by pre-treatment with petroleum ether extract of E. elaterium, C.prophetarum herbs and Luffa cylindrica fruits after 2h, while alcohol extract of E. elaterium herb caused a maximum inhibition of edema which amounted to 76.9% in comparison with the other extracts.
The efficacy of different formulations of the Citrullus colocynthis active ingredients in powder or emulsifiable concentrate in cowpea stored in different storage sacks (damour, polyethylene, gunny plastic and jute) protection against Callosobruchus maculatus attack was evaluated. All the formulations used were effective bioinsecticides against C. maculatus. They secured considerable protection for the stored seeds for different periods, depending on the kind of storage sacks and the kind and the formulation rate used. Damour and polyethylene sacks proved to be highly suitable for storage of cowpea seeds treated with different formulations. They completely protected the seeds from infestation for seven months in the majority of formulations. No infestation appeared during seven months and hence no weight loss was detected in the stored seeds. Gunny plastic and jute sacks protected the seeds for shorter periods. They were considered to be less suitable for storing the treated cowpea seeds. The weight loss detected depended on the storage method and the rate of formulation used. All the tested formulations significantly reduced the number of eggs laid in comparison to control. Powdered formulation of alcohol and chloroform extracts of C. colocynthis, applied at the doses of 8 and 16 g/kg of seeds and 16 g/kg, respectively, were superior in comparison to other formulations used, as the oviposition deterrent index (ODI) was 100%. Moreover, no adult C. maculatus was recorded during seven months of storage when damour sacks for storing cowpea seeds treated with alcohol or chloroform extract powder formulations were used. Different formulations used had no adverse effect on seeds’ germination.
Nitrogen as ammonium nitrate in three doses: of 100, 200 and 300 kg/acre and potassium as sulphate in graded doses of 50 and 100 kg/acre were added using side dressing to Momordica charantia to assess their effects on fruit yield and active constituents. Nitrogen alone in graded doses increased the fruit production up to 200 kg of ammonium nitrate/acre, also all doses of potassium increased fruit production proportionally to doses. The highest number of fruits was produced with use of the combined medium nitrogen dose and high potassium doses. The obtained data revealed that higher fruit number with higher fresh and dry weight could be obtained by adding nitrogen at 200 kg/acre with potassium at a rate of 100 kg/acre. Arbor or vineyard like method of cultivation gave more fruits with higher fresh and dry weights than normal method of cultivation. Polypeptide in immature fruits increased by nitrogen till 200 kg/acre and the combination of medium dose of nitrogen and any rate of potassium produced the highest polypeptide concentration. The same treatment combination has similar effect on cucurbitacins in immature fruits.
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