Biorational Management of Pulse Bettle (Callosobruchus chinensis L.) on Chickpea Seeds

Abstract

The pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis is one of the major insect pest in stored pulse (i.e. Chickpea seeds) causing 40-50% losses of pulses in storage. Experiments were conducted to study the efficacy of some selected biorational insecticides on mortality of beetle, weight loss of seeds, fecundity and hatchability of pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis under laboratory condition. Among the different botanicals, Neem oil (89.00%) was found the most effective in case of mortality of pulse beetle in direct method followed by Mahogany oil (78.00%) and Karanja oil (62.00%). Among different microbial derivatives, Spinosad was found most effective considering mortality followed by Emamectin benzoate and Abamectin. Among botanicals the highest percentage of weight reduction was observed in Karanja oil (30.18%) and the lowest (22.43%) was in Neem oil while among microbial derivatives the lowest percentage of seed weight reduction was obtained from Spinosad (11.15%) and the highest percentage of weight reduction was obtained from Abamectin (20.37%). No. of eggs laid per female was recorded highest in Karanja oil (24.00) and lowest in Spinosad (19.33). The hatchability percentage was highest in Karanza oil (21.73%) and lowest in Neem (12.89%) and in case of chemical treatment lowest in spinosad (6.05%) and highest in Ebamectin (14.42%). Neem oil and Spinosad were found effective against pulse beetle in storage condition. Therefore, Neem oil and Spinosad might be included in the development of IPM packages for the management of pulse beetle in the storage.