COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF HOT PEPPER (CAPSICUM ANNUUM) POWDER IN THE CONTROL OF BEAN WEEVIL AND BEAN RUST

Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are an essential source of protein and income in sub-Saharan Africa but face severe yield and storage losses due to pests and diseases, particularly the bean weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) and bean rust (Uromyces appendiculatus).Conventional control using synthetic pesticides is limited by high costs, health risks, and environmental concerns, necessitating sustainable alternatives. This study evaluated the effectiveness of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) powder in controlling bean weeviI during storage and bean rust in the field, compared with Combantrin (a synthetic pesticide) and untreated control. The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm,Federal University of Kåshere, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments (control, 10 g, 15 g, and 20 g pepper powder, applied early and late)replicated three times. Data were collected on disease severity, leaf and stem damage,and weevil mortality over a 35-day period and analyzed using Microsoft excel.Results revealed that C. annuum powder was dose-dependent in performance. At lower dosages (10 g and 15 g), pepper showed strong short-term suppression but was overtaken by Combantrin in the long term. However, at higher dosage (20 g), pepper consistently. outperformed Combantrin in suppressing rust and weevil damage in the field. In storage, pepper powder achieved>99% weevil mortality at both 10 g. and 20 g doses, clearly superior to Combantrin's 83.7% effectiveness. The study concludes that C. annuum powder is an effective, eco-friendly, and affordable alternative to synthetic pesticides. Its dual action. against field diseases and storage pests makes it a valuable tool for Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM), especially for smallholder farmers.