Influence of Inert Minerals and Botanicals on Adult Emergence of Pulse Beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius), in Stored Blackgram

Pulses hold significant global importance as a food source, with the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus, being a major pest affecting them. As consumer preferences shift towards insecticide residue-free food, pest management strategies are adapting. Inert minerals and botanicals offer a promising solution to address concerns about insecticide safety, resistance development, and regulatory standards. Hence, this study seeks to assess how these substances impact the emergence of C. maculatus adults.

One kilogram of blackgram was taken in three replications and treated with inert minerals and botanicals. In each container, ten pairs of newly emerged adult beetles were introduced. A subsample of 50 g was taken in small plastic jars to record, the day when the first adult beetle emerged, the daily count of adult beetles and the overall count of emerged adult beetles.

The research showed no significant difference between treatments and untreated control w.r.t day of first adult emergence of C. maculatus. The percentage of adult emergence of C. maculatus in blackgram seeds treated with diatomaceous earth was 21.06% which was significantly the lowest value when compared to untreated control (86.03%). The total count of emerged adult beetles from the main sample was less in diatomaceous earth (135.33 adults) against untreated control (751.67 adults). Among all the treatments tested, diatomaceous earth performed better in controlling the adult emergence of C. maculatus.