Preliminary studies on the control of Kola weevils by gamma radiation in Nigeria

Preliminary studies were made on the control of the Kola weevils, Sophrorhinus spp. and Balanogastris kolae Derbr. by gamma irradiation. Dosages of 8-20 Krad were found to be sufficient for effective control of the immature stages of weevils in infested nuts. Few adults which emerged from nuts irradiated at 8-20 krad died within fourteen days after emergence. Kola nuts irradiated at varying dosages of 3-20 krad and stored in fresh leaves did not show any detectable change in colour, taste and flavour. However, germination was poor in nuts treated at 3 and 5 krad and no germination was recorded in nuts treated at 8-20 krad. (author)