Deterrent effect of plant extracts against Callosobruchus maculatus on stored cowpea in Saurashtra (Gujarat, India)

Abstract

A laboratory study was conducted at the JAU, Junagadh (Gujarat) during 2013-14 on the deterrent effect of different aqueous plant extracts against pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in stored seeds of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.). Among different aqueous extracts of plants materials, maximum percentage of oviposition deterrence was observed in custard apple seed extract (67.19%), custard apple leaf extract (65.95%), neem seed extract (65.44%), mustard seed extract (64.65%) and jatropha leaf extract (64.16%) at 5 per cent concentration. The maximum adult emergence reduction was seen in custard apple seed extract (78.45%), custard apple leaf extract (77.14%) and neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) (77.09%) at 5 per cent dose level. Minimum weight loss percentage was observed in the cowpea seeds treated with custard apple seed extract at 5% dose level, which recorded 79.20%. The results revealed that all of the tested materials with some variations had deterrent and toxic effects against the pest.