Efficacy of botanical oils, plant powders and extracts against Callosobruchus chinensis Linn. aitacking blackgram (cv. T9)

Efficacy of nine different vegetable oils, eight plant powders and three plant extracts each at four concentrations against pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis (Linn.) infesting black gram (Cv. T9) was studied. All the oil treatment were superior in protecting the seeds from pulse beetle attack than malathion treatment or control. Oils of neem, castor and coconut at both the doses i.e. 2 and 4 ml/kg proved most effective in protecting the seeds for about nine months after treatment. Among the plant powders Lantana camera and Tridex procumbens at 2 and 4% (w/w) concentrations and Lantana camera extracts at all the four concentrations were promising in protecting the seeds. Use of such botanical products did not affect the germinability of seeds.