Evaluation of Eco-friendly Seed Protectants Against Lesser Grain Borer, Rhizopertha dominica in Paddy, Oryza sativa L. under Storage

Author: R. Pungavi, V. Maheswari, K. Kumar and B. Padmapriya

Download PDF

Abstract

Safe storage of grains against insect damage is a serious concern. Usage of chemicals are detrimental effect on human as well as environment so plants parts are known to be a potential source of insecticidal properties with safer to human. Keeping in this view the effectiveness of plant derived products for the management of the lesser grain borer, Rhizopertha dominica Fab, a laboratory experiment was carried out during 2018 in stored paddy. Seeds were treated with inorganic insecticides include Emamectin benzoate 5SG @ 2 ppm kg-1 and Delatmethrin 2.8 EC @ 1 ppm/kg and botanicals such as Neem azal 1.0 EC 10000 ppm, Karanji oil at 5 ml/kg, Citronella oil at 5 ml/kg and Acorus calamus at 10 ml/kg seed and untreated check. All treatments were found to be superior in controlling pest population in storage condition. Among the botanicals treated, Acorus calamus was found to be best in recorded maximum germination percentage (95.00%), moisture content (11.89%), adult morality (90.54%), 100 seed weight (1.38) and minimum number of live adults (0.01%), weight loss (1.47%) and grain damage (6.00%) upto 90 days of storage. Therefore, Acorus calamus @ 10 ml kg-1 seed has found effective in maintaining the seed quality with minimum seed infestation up to ninety days of storage in paddy grains.

Keywords

paddy, lesser grain borer, Rhizopertha dominica, management, botanicals

Conclusion

It was concluded that A. calamus showed highest effectiveness in protecting rice grains from R. dominca infestation upto 90 days of storage. Plant-derived insecticides have long been a potent tool in farmers' weapon systems for controlling insect pests on their agricultural production. A greener alternative to synthetic preservatives with chemical origin, essential oils and insecticidal rich bioactive components from plants have strong insecticidal property, fungitoxicity in application and mycotoxin inhibitory activity, against pest, so therefore botanicals especially essential oil can be recommended in future for integrated pest management systems and IPM modules as ecofriendly and promoting sustainable agricultural production.

References

-

How to cite this article

R. Pungavi, V. Maheswari, K. Kumar and B. Padmapriya (2023). Evaluation of Eco-friendly Seed Protectants Against Lesser Grain Borer, Rhizopertha dominica in Paddy, Oryza sativa L. under Storage. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(3): 52-58.