Vol. 11, Special Issue 4 (2022)

Author(s):
Geeta Kumari Meena, Hemant Swami, Lekha and Gaurang Chhangani

Abstract:
The present investigation on "Bio-efficacy of diatomaceous earth against pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis (L.)” was carried out under laboratory conditions at Department of Entomology, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur during 2020. The different organic products were evaluated against pulse beetle infesting chickpea in storage condition showed that diatomaceous earth @ 4 per cent was found most effective treatment with highest adult mortality (73.33%), lowest grain damage (6.67%) and lowest weight loss of grains (2.00%). It was followed by diatomaceous earth @ 3 per cent and diatomaceous earth @ 2 per cent and was found at par with each other. Though, application of diatomaceous earth @ 2 per cent was more preferred and suggested to farmers because of low cost and lower residual effect than diatomaceous earth @ 3 and 4 per cent. The next effective treatments were diatomaceous earth @ 1 per cent followed by neem seed kernel powder @ 1 per cent, mustard oil @ 2 per cent and groundnut oil @ 2 per cent and neem leaf powder @ 4 per cent. All the treatments were found to be superior over control in terms of increasing the adult mortality, reducing grain damage and weight loss; whereas there was no significant effect of these protectants on the moisture content of the stored chickpea.