Efficacy of packaging materials against pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis

Ecofriendly and cost-effective management of chickpeas is very important for improving food security. Barrier property of different packaging materials viz., polypropylene (white), polypropylene (green), polyethylene (gauge1), polyethylene (gauge 2), polymer, cotton, and china lamination was evaluated against the pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Results revealed that when chickpea was placed in the package after cleaning then no penetration and fecundity of C. chinensis were recorded in the closed package. A significant difference was observed among all the tested packages materials (closed and open) and storage periods in terms of the fecundity of C. chinensis. On the closed package, higher fecundity was observed in PE1 and PE2 packages while in the open package highest infestation was recorded in the CL package. However, fecundity increased with storage period in both open and closed packages.