Bioefficacy of some essential oils and nano gel chitosan on two insect species of stored pea seeds

This study was aimed at assessing the lethal and sublethal effects and repellency of three essential oils (Fenugreek, Fennel, and Pepper) and nano gel chitosan on two stored pests in the lab and store. The Callosobruchus spp. were susceptible to tested essential oils causing mortality accumulative than nano gel chitosan. The highest repellency recorded in the case of Pepper on two pests. Mostly a complete inhibition of beetle's emergence (zero %) was recorded in the case of Pepper on tested insects at 30 days intervals under store conditions. The percentages of beetle's emergence during storage periods after treatment with essential oils were considerably lower than in the respective control up to 120 days of storage. Study revealed that the tested essential oils demonstrate the potential in protecting pea seeds against Callosobruchus spp. invasion than nano gel chitosan during storage. This technology is cheap, safe, environmentally friendly easy to adopt by small-scale farmers.