Efficacy of Some Essential Oil for the Management of Rice Weevil (Sitophilus oryzae) on Stored Wheat

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in Completely Block Design (CRD) at the laboratory of the Department of Entomology, Naini Agriculture Institute Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh with three replications seven treatments and untreated control against Rice Weevil Sitophilus oryzae (L.) i.e.T1 (Neem Oil), T2 (Clove Oil), T3 (Lavender Oil), T4 (Karanj Oil), T5 (Eucalyptus oil), T6 (Lemongrass Oil), and T7 (Tea tree Oil) and T0 (control). The experiment was conduct on the efficacy of different essential oil for the management of rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae and adult mortality at 24, 48 and 72 hrs of exposure. The treatments included Neem Oil (0.5ml/lit), Clove Oil (0.5ml/lit), Lavender Oil (0.4ml/lit), Karanja Oil (0.4ml/lit), Eucalyptus Oil (0.5ml/lit), Lemon grass Oil (0.5ml/lit) and Tea tree Oil (0.5ml/lit). Among the treatments the largest number of mortality was observed in neem oil (83.33%), followed by karanj oil (77.77%), and least mortality was observed in the lavender oil (31.11%), rest of the treatments were found intermediate as followed by clove oil (67.77%), followed by eucalyptus oil (57.77%), followed by lemon grass oil (54.44%) and tea tree oil (51.10%). Percent weight loss of treated wheat grains at intervals of 30, 60 and 90 days after treatment. The results revealed that neem oil (7.32%), followed by karanj oil (11.99%). Least weight loss was recorded in lavender oil (41.06%). Whereas rest of treatments were found intermediate. And the highest germination was found in neem oil treated wheat seeds. The present study clearly revealed that these naturally occurring indigenous plant products could be used to manage the storage insect pests in wheat.