Edible plant rhizome-based biocide for management of Callsobruchus chinensis (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Investigation on bio-efficacy of edible rhizome powder of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) against Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) undertaken at Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat at different dosage admixed with green gram seed revealed that the turmeric rhizome powder recorded the highest adult mortality (97.00%) at 10 g/100 g (w/w) green gram seed at 72 hours after treatment (HAT) as against 31.07% in the case of ginger rhizome powder. The highest oviposition inhibition (100%) was seen in the case of turmeric against 63.23% in ginger at 10 g/100 g gram seed after 120 HAT. The LC50 values of turmeric (1.2 g/100 g seeds) were lower than ginger (11.87 g/100 g seeds) for 96 HAT. Turmeric rhizome powder showed significant adult toxicity, oviposition deterrence and ovicidal properties suggesting its possible incorporation in the IPM practices against storage insect pests of pulses.