ECO-FRIENDLY MANAGEMENT OF PULSE BEETLE, CALLOSOBRUCHUS CHINENSIS (L.) INSTORED GREEN GRAM SEEDS BY USING NON EDIBLE OILS

Abstract

Pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) is an important pest of stored green gram and widely distributed in the world. Chemical insecticides and fumigants are commonly used against pulse beetle but it has serious drawback. The efficacies of four non edible oils viz. castor, karanja, neem and tishi were investigated against the attack of pulse beetle, C. chinensis in stored green gram seeds to evaluate the oviposition, adult emergence, seed infestation and weight loss. All the tested oils were effectively reduced the Oviposition, adult emergence, seed infestation and weight loss compared to control. However, karanja oil at 6.0 and 8.0 ml/kg seed completely inhibited adult emergence, seed infestation and weight loss of green gram. Karanja oil showed ovicidal and larvicidal activities which provided 100% and 87.35% inhibition, respectively at 8.0 ml/kg seed over control. This oil had no adverse effect on germination of green gram seed at 3 months of storage. Therefore, karanja oil may be suggested for the management of C. chinensis in stored green gram seeds.