Evaluation of selected botanicals against rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) in stored grains

Eight botanicals, neem leaf powder (5%), asafoetida (0.1%), sweet flag rhizome powder (2%), turmeric rhizome powder (2%), ginger rhizome powder (2%), zandu parad tablet (2%), chilli dry fruit powder (2%) and groundnut oil (1%) were evaluated against split legumes and sorghum in the laboratory at College of Agriculture, Shimoga during 2011–12. Among the plant products tested, sweet flag powder (2%) provided maximum protection than other botanicals and even superior over malathion dust (5%). It was highly effective against the pest even at 1 per cent as it caused 100 per cent mortality and least grain weight loss at 180 days of storage. Zandu parad tablet (2%) was next best after malathion (5%) against the weevil on split legumes and sorghum.