Effect of Suidasia nesbitti Hughes (Acari: Suidasiidae) Infestation on Seed Germination in Bengal Gram Grains

Abstract

Suidasia nesbitti Hughes (Acari: Suidasiidae) is a pest of stored grains and products which is responsible for causing quantitative, qualitative damage to grains and allergic reactions in human beings. As the mite feeds on the germinal portion of the grain, the qualitative damages are higher than quantitative losses. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the S. nesbitti infestation on seed germination in Bengal gram, the third most important pulse crop worldwide. For this purpose, under in vitro conditions, twenty mites of S. nesbitti were released in per g of Desi and Kabuli channa grains and were allowed to feed for 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days. At each duration, grains were drawn from each replicate and subjected to germination tests. When observation periods were compared, significantly higher radicle and plumule length was found at 0 day which declined at 30, 60 and 90 days, respectively. In the present study, no seeds germinated after 120, 150 and 180 days of infestation. Germinated seeds of Desi channa at 0 day were statistically higher (84.61%) as compared to 72.72, 62.50 and 25 percent germinated seeds at 30, 60 and 90 days of infestation, respectively. Maximum per cent germination in Kabuli channa (90.90%) was recorded at 0 day which significantly decreased to 87.50, 75 and 37.50 percent at 30, 60 and 90 days. The varietal susceptibility was also evaluated in terms of changes in plumule and radicle length, seed germination of seeds due to S. nesbitti infestation. It was observed that plumule, radicle length and germination were significantly lower in Desi channa (6.45, 7.67 cm) than in Kabuli channa (8.10, 8.64 cm). The studies reflect the damage potential of S. nesbitti infestation in Bengal gram.