A thread on the use of paw paw leaves ash in controlling weevils and grain borers.
On several occasions, I saw my grandmother use ash from pawpaw leaves to control weevils in her stored grains #seeds #ash #pawpaw
On several occasions, I saw my grandmother use ash from pawpaw leaves to control weevils in her stored grains #seeds #ash #pawpaw
She mixed the grain with the ash and stored them in the granary, gourds or earthen pots.
This deterred weevils from attacking the grains.#pawpaw
This deterred weevils from attacking the grains.#pawpaw
A couple years later, while undertaking my MSc in agro-ecosystems, I learnt that paw paw leaves have the enzyme papain that has inhibitory activity and mortality effects against pests such as weevils #Pawpaw
So how does one make the ash:
Select healthy looking leaves
Dry the pawpaw leaves.
Once completely dry,burn them into ash
Mix 100-250g ash to 100 kg of any grain(sorghum,millet,beans or cowpeas) #pawpaw
Select healthy looking leaves
Dry the pawpaw leaves.
Once completely dry,burn them into ash
Mix 100-250g ash to 100 kg of any grain(sorghum,millet,beans or cowpeas) #pawpaw
It is a pity that such effective traditional ways of preserving grains and reducing post harvest losses have been abandoned for toxic insecticides which leave the grains with chemical residues making them unsafe for human consumption.#pawpaw
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