Phytosanitary risk of bruchids in lentil imported into India

Abstract

Import of lentil grain for various purposes involves an inherent risk of introducing exotic pests. There are 26 seed pests reported on lentil including 18 bruchids, of which 12 have not yet been reported from India. These may be transported across geographical boundaries as hidden infestations of imported lentil grain. An attempt has been made to analyse the literature, according to the relevant ISPMs, to provide scientific justification of the relevant phytosanitary measures applied in India. The various aspects of risk analysis considered were: initiation (compilation of world pest record and identification of pathway), risk assessment (ascertaining pest status, pest distribution, damage, host range, etc.) and risk management (pest exclusion) through X‐ray radiography, thermal and insecticidal treatments. The repeated detection of bruchids in imported breeding material of lentil (Acanthoscelides obtectus, Bruchus ervi, Bruchus lentis, Callosobruchus analis, Callosobruchus chinensis and Callosobruchus maculates) highlights their potential phytosanitary importance in bulk imports. Analysis of risk prior to import is the first step in this direction.