Efficacy of different vegetable oils as grain protectants against pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L. in increasing storability of pigeonpea

Abstract

Studies were carried out on the efficacy of ten vegetable oils viz., sunflower, castor, mustard, safflower, palm, groundnut, sesame, neem, karanj, and maize each applied at rates of 5, 7.5, and 10 mL/kg of grain (0.5, 0.75 and 1% v/w concentrations) as grain protectants of pigeonpea against pulse beetle ( Callosobruchus chinensis L.). Effects on progeny emergence, loss in grain weight, and germination up to 100 days after treatment were measured. Adult emergence was completely prevented by karanj oil at 0.75 and 1% and neem oil at all levels up to 100 days. No emergence of adults occurred up to 66 days with castor oil at the 0.75 and 1% levels. Minimum grain loss was noted with castor, mustard, and groundnut oils at the 1% level up to 100 days after treatment. There was no adverse effect of the various oils on seed germination. Neem, palm and karanj oils are cheaper when compared with other oils.