Journal of Environmental Biology

Effect of various plant powders on rice weevil

(Sitophilus oryzae Linn.) in stored wheat

S. Singh¹*, D. K. Sharma², S. Bhatia² and A. Singh³

¹Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India

²Department of Processing & Food Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India

³Department of Plant Pathology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: subashent@gmail.com  

Key words

Plant powder,

Sitophilus oryzae,

Rice weevil,

Stored wheat

Publication Data

Paper received : 10.04.2015

Revised received : 21.12.2015

Re-revised received : 23.06.2016

Accepted : 12.07.2016

Abstract

Aim: Now-a-days usage of chemical insecticides has become more restricted and creating many environmental problems. Therefore, objective of the present study was to evaluate the alternative control measures in form of botanicals against rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.) on stored wheat.

Methodology: Six botanicals in powder form viz., neem leaf powder (NLP), neem kernel powder (NKP), dharek leaf powder (DLP), dharek kernel powder (DKP), castor leaf powder (CLP) and castor kernel powder (CKP) each at the rate of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 % (w/w) were tested by directly mixing into wheat grains against S. oryzae. An aliquot of 100g wheat sample was used in each treatment for maximum of 3 replications. Three jars were also kept for untreated control. Three jars of Deltamethrin 2.8 EC were also kept as standard check. Five pairs of 1-2 week old adult insects (1:1 female to male ratio) were released into each jar. The open tops of all the jars were covered with muslin and kept inside BOD incubator at 27?1 ^?C and 70?5 % R.H. 

Results: Deltamethrin 2.8 EC was highly effective as all the adult insects were died within 24 hours after their release. Among various powders, NKP at 2% was found best as it showed minimum grain damage (3.84%), weight loss (1.15%) and adult emergence (16.17), while maximum inhibition rate (92.58%) over the untreated control with maximum grain damage (21.16%), weight loss (13.83%) and adult emergence (157.58 adults). The NKP was followed by DKP, NLP, DLP, CKP and CLP. Seed viability was not adversely affected by any of the plant powders used in the studies.      

Interpretation: This study showed that 2% NKP the most effective compound over the other compounds and untreated control, and it can be used as botanical against S. oryzae in stored wheat.

Copyright ? 2017 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).