Biological Control of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) in Stored Pigeonpea Cajanus cajan (L.)

Author: Dhruv Singh, D.V. Singh, Gaje Singh, Hem Singh and Gopal Singh

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Abstract

Pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan, (L.) is a vital legume in the Indian subcontinent, not just in terms of production but also providing nutrient security to a large chunk of population, the pulse however faces issues related to frequent and prominent pest attacks, one such issue is the attack of C. maculatus on the pulses in fields and storehouses leading to tremendous losses in the amount of grain produced as well as monetary losses incurred in grain production and storage. There are methodologies available to address the insect attack in pigeonpea by the use of chemicals, aimed at reducing pest damage but at cost of health hazards and other problems. However, use of biocontrol agents for pest management is an approach that is novel but with scarcity in research material. This study aimed to investigate the parasitoids of C. maculatus available in storehouses for its biological control. Both larval parasites viz., Dinarmus basalis and Triaspis sp. parasitized the grubs of C. maculatus as ecto and endo parasites. In the whole sample, 14.74 per cent mortality of C. maculatus was noted by the 22.83 parasites. Dinarmus basalis and Triaspis sp. parasitized 13.25 and 1.49 per cent mortality of C. maculatus, respectively which is in a very little extent of parasitization to control the bruchids in store.

Keywords

Pigeonpea, Callosobruchus maculatus, Biological control, Parasitoids, Dinarmus basalis

Conclusion

In summary of the current laboratory experiment, the findings underscore the remarkable capacity of the parasitoid Dinarmus basalis and Triaspis sp. to exert a substantial suppressive impact on the bruchid population. It is noteworthy that the prevalence of the parasitoid within storehouses remained notably limited. This observation accentuates the potential for significantly enhanced pest management outcomes through the augmentation of the parasitoid population within storage facilities. The implications of this study reveal a pivotal avenue for future research and application. By fostering an increase in the parasitoid population, the prospects for a markedly improved and highly efficient strategy for bruchid pest management within storage contexts become evident. Consequently, there arises a critical imperative to establish standardized mass production techniques tailored to the expansion of the parasitoids population on a substantial scale. Such standardization holds the promise of enabling widespread release in storage facilities, thereby ushering in a paradigm shift in the effective control of the pulse beetle menace. In closing, this research underscores the substantial potential for advancing integrated pest management through the strategic augmentation of the parasitoid Dinarmus basalis population.

References

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How to cite this article

Dhruv Singh, D.V. Singh, Gaje Singh, Hem Singh and Gopal Singh (2023). Biological Control of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) in Stored Pigeonpea Cajanus cajan (L.). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(8a): 233-237.