Studies on efficacy of certain plant part powders against pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis Linn. on chickpea, Cicer arietinum (L)

The present research was aimed to study the efficacy of certain plant part powders against pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis linn. on chickpea, Cicer arietinum (L.) were conducted under laboratory conditions of 28 ± 1 0C temperature and 70 ± 5 per cent relative humidity in a B.O.D. incubator at Department of Agricultural Zoology & Entomology, College of Agriculture, Bikaner. Among the grain protectants four plant part powders viz., neem leaf, garlic bulb, garlic leaf and onion bulb @ 20, 40 and 60 g/kg grains were evaluated. Neem leaf powder at 60 g/kg grains was found to be most effective in inhibiting the oviposition (55.40%), reduction in eggs hatching (40.88%) and reduction in adult emergence (67.71%). Whereas next to it was garlic bulb resulting reduction in same parameters with 33.15, 30.29 and 55.72 per cent, respectively. The tested plant part powders did not affect the germination of treated chickpea grains.