Evaluation of some Botanicals, Thermal Treatment and Packing Materials against Pulse Beetle Callosobruchus chinensis L. in Chickpea

The pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) is a major pest of stored chickpea. In the present study, efficacy of neem (0.5 and 1.0%) and turmeric powders (0.5 and 1.0%) has been evaluated against this pest, in combination with mustard oil (0.3%), thermal treatment @ 60°C for 20 min and packing materials including open, PP (polypropylene) and LD (low density polyethylene). The results revealed increased efficacy with concentration of neem and turmeric powder. Use of neem oil @ 1.0%+ mustard oil @ 0.3% kept in open packing, proved to be significantly superior at four months of storage. Turmeric powder @ 0.5%+ mustard oil @ 0.3% treated grains showed a significantly better germination. Moisture content differed significantly with treated samples. The colour change and myroflora incidence were comparatively minimum with neem leaf powder @ 0.5%+ mustard oil @ 0.3% treated samples. Thermal treated grains proved superior compared to botanicals, whereas, colour change led to significantly lesser effect. Among the packings, PP and LD packed samples significantly influenced the infestation and germination irrespective of the botanicals.