Vol. 11, Issue 4 (2022)

Author(s):
Poonam Devi, Rachna Gulati and Deepak Verma

Abstract:
Susceptibility of whole, broken grains and flour of Bengal gram to Suidasia nesbitti (Acari: Suidasiidae) population build up and its damage potential was estimated during monthly data analysis. The results showed that mite count was significantly higher in flour (682.95 mites/g) than broken (332.52 mites/g) and whole grains (70.33 mites/g). Irrespective of the form of Bengal gram, significantly higher S. nesbitti population was recorded at the end of study period i.e. 180 days (1232 mites/g) from the initial count of 20 mites. Cursory analysis of S. nesbitti population on three forms of Bengal gram revealed highest percentage of mites on flour (63%) followed by broken grains (31%) and whole grains (6%) which showed that flour were preferred by mites than other two forms. The mite infestation resulted in significant decrease in the protein, total soluble sugars, non- reducing sugars and starch content of all the three forms of Bengal gram at 90 and 180 days of infestation. In contrast, reducing sugars significantly increased with increase in S. nesbitti infestation period. Due to mite feeding, progressive discolouration of whole and broken grains were witnessed. Broken grain material and flour became darker in colour as the population multiplied due to excessive excreta.