Eco-friendly management of pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis (Linnaeus) on cowpea in storage

Laboratory studies on evaluation of ecofriendly grain protectants against Callosobruchus chinensis (Linnaeus) on cowpea plant powders, oils and inert dust revealed that the sweet flag (Acorus calamus L.) rhizome powder @ 5 g kg⁻¹ seeds, cow dung ash @ 200 g kg⁻¹ and neem oil @ 10 ml kg⁻¹ seeds exhibited remarkable protectant ability. The cent per cent adult mortality observed in these as against zero mortality in the control at 4 days after treatment indicated their greater efficacy. Coconut oil @ 10 ml kg⁻¹ seeds and groundnut oil @ 10 ml kg⁻¹ seed also exhibited their effectiveness showing more than 50.00 per cent mortality of C. chinensis 4 days after treatment.