Stored Chickpea Research Articles

EVALUATION OF HERMETIC STORAGE BAGS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PULSE BEETLE, Callosobruchus maculatus (FAB.) IN CHICKPEA

Studies on management of pulse bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) on stored chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) through hermetic storage was carried out in the laboratory of Department of Entomology, Agricultural College, Bapatla during 2021-22.Three hermetic storage bags viz., super bag, polythene bag and triple layer plastic bag were evaluated along with conventional storage bags against pulse beetle damage and seed quality parameters of stored chickpea for six months storage period. Chickpea grains stored in super bags recorded zero number of adult beetles of C. maculatus, zero grain damage, no moisture change, and above 90 percent viability of chickpea grains upto six months storage period followed by triple layer plastic bags and found to be the most effective when compared to other types of bags tested.

Elevated CO2 and Nanoparticles for the Management of Pulse Beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L. in Stored Chickpea

Background: Pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L. is a primary pest of stored chickpea which causes 50-60 per cent loss in seed weight and 45.5-66.3 per cent loss in protein content of the seeds and injudicious and indiscriminate use of hazardous synthetic chemicals for preventing storage losses in chickpea may lead to human and animal health issues due to residual hazards. Therefore, the biorational management of the pulse beetle in stored chickpea has been undertaken keeping biology in mind will prevent the loss as well as protect human health hazard. Methodos: The experiments on various non-chemical biorational approaches like effect of elevated levels of CO2 and application of nano particles which control the test insect effectively but have less toxicity to non-target organisms and the environment were studied in the Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha during 2018-2021. Result: The results showed that elevated levels of CO2 at 60 and 80 per cent for 150 and 30 minutes respectively resulted in cent per cent mortality of the bruchids. Among the nano particles, nano silica and nano zinc applied @1000 ppm and 750 ppm realized the highest mortality of the bruchids.

Impact of storage technologies and duration on insect pest population, post-harvest losses, and seed quality of stored chickpea in Ethiopia.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the most important winter season food legume in Ethiopia. Despite being a major producer and consumer of chickpeas, Ethiopia experiences lower yields due to biotic and abiotic stresses, particularly insect pest infestations during storage. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different storage technologies and durations on the losses of stored chickpea seeds in terms of both quantity and quality. The experiment involved five storage technologies and three durations, spanning a period of 6 months, with data collected at 2-month intervals. The results showed that the Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) and Super GrainPro (SGP) bags effectively maintained intergranular temperature, seed moisture content, and relative humidity throughout the storage period, followed by the modified hermetic metal silo. In contrast, traditional bags exhibited a significant increase in these parameters. The PICS and SGP bags also exhibited the lowest numbers of total insect pests after 6 months, while the jute bags had the highest infestation. Common insect species found in the stored chickpea seeds were Callosobruchus chinensis (L.), Sitophilus oryzae (L.), and Tribolium confusum (duVal). Furthermore, hermetic bags (PICS and SGP) demonstrated the least grain damage and weight loss, while jute bags had relatively higher values. Seed viability was well maintained in hermetic bags but significantly decreased in traditional bags. Overall, hermetic storage technologies, such as the PICS and SGP bags, effectively suppressed insect development, reduced losses, and preserved seed viability without the need for insecticides. It is recommended that farmers use these hermetic storage bags after proper drying to enhance food security and income generation. By implementing these recommendations, Ethiopia can enhance its chickpea storage practices, reduce post-harvest losses, and contribute to improved food security and economic sustainability in the chickpea sector. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Desiccant Beads: A Novel Tool for Managing Pulse Beetle in Stored Chickpea

Chickpea is the most dominant pulse having a major share under area shown 65 per cent and production 72 per cent followed by lentil and field pea. Pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L. is a primary pest of stored chickpea which causes 50-60 per cent loss in seed weight and 45.5-66.3 per cent loss in protein content of the seeds (Rustamani et al., 1985) and injudicious and indiscriminate use of hazardous synthetic chemicals for preventing storage losses in chickpea may lead to human and animal health issues due to residual hazards. Therefore, the biorational management of the pulse beetle in stored chickpea has been undertaken keeping biology in mind will prevent the loss as well as protect human health hazard.The experiments on non-chemical biorational approaches like effect of desiccant beadswhich control the pulse beetle efficiently but have lesser toxicity hazards to non-target organisms and the environment was studied in the Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, OUAT, BBSR, Odisha during 2018-2021.The results showed that desiccant beads viz., zeolite and sodium aluminium silicate impregnated with chickpea seeds in the ratio of 1:1 proved effective in suppression of the pulse beetle in chickpeaduring six months of storage.

Efficacy of food-grade diatomaceous earth as grain protection against <em>Rhyzopertha dominica</em> - Lesser Grain Borer in stored chickpea under tropical conditions

The efficacy of different concentrations of diatomaceous earth against the <em>Rhyzopertha dominica</em> in chickpea was evaluated. The selected concentrations were 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% on (W/W) basis. Each treatment was replicated three times and 20 same-aged unsexed adult <em>Rhyzopertha dominica</em> species were introduced into each jar. The percentage of mortality <em>Rhyzopertha dominica</em> species and weight reduction of chickpea commodity were recorded weekly for five weeks. After the 5th week onwards the samples were let to progeny development without any disturbance. The progeny counts were carried out at the end of the 9^thweek. The results showed that mortality percentage <em>Rhyzopertha dominica</em> species, weight reduction of chickpea commodity, and progeny emergence highly affected by different concentrations of diatomaceous earth (DE). The maximum percentage of mortality was attained early, when the concentration was 1%, at the end of the 3rd week (100%). The percentage of weight reduction is relatively less for 1% concentration compared with other treatments. After 9 weeks of exposure, the chickpea commodity treated with 1% and 0.5% concentrations of DE shows the zero number of visible pupal stage and F1 adult progeny of <em>Rhyzopertha dominica</em> species. While chickpea commodity treated with 0.1% concentration of DE shows the dead visible F1 generation of <em>Rhyzopertha dominica</em> species. This means, the larva has emerged as adults but at the end of the 9 weeks of the exposure period, F1 progenies were completely suppressed. The percentage of mortality <em>Rhyzopertha dominica</em> species, weight reduction of chickpea commodity, and the emergence of the progeny of <em>Rhyzopertha dominica</em> species depend upon the different concentrations of DE and applying 1% of DE highly effective concentration to control the <em>Rhyzopertha dominica</em> species in the chickpea commodity.

Use of Extreme Low Temperatures Against Adzuki Bean Weevil (Callosobruchus chinensis L., Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Storage Management

This study was conducted to determine the effect of low temperatures on the different biological stages of adzuki bean weevil (Callosobruchus chinensis L., Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in stored chickpea seeds. Different extreme low temperatures were tested for eggs, larvae, pupae and adults in all experiments with different exposure times. For larvae, pupae and adults, 100% death was obtained after 45 minutes at -16 °C, 30 minutes at -20 °C and 20 minutes at -26 °C. LT95 value was determined as 38.3, 39.0 and 36.8 minutes for larva, pupa and adult at -16 °C, respectively. LT95 value was determined as 27.4, 27.5 and 26.0 minutes for larva, pupa and adult at -20 °C, respectively. After 120 minutes at -20 °C, 100% mortality was achieved in the eggs and it was determined that the adults did not emerge from the eggs that were kept at -20 °C for 60 minutes. From these results, it is understood that extreme low temperatures are effective in all biological stages of adzuki bean weevil that cause damage in storage, and this method can be used safely against other pests that cause damage in storage.

The Efficacy of the Leaf Powders of Justicia Adhatoda L. and Leucas Aspera on the Management of the Pulse Beetle Callosobruchus Chinensis L. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), in Cicer Arietinum L. (Chickpea)

Insects are a problem in stored grains throughout the world. In India, there are about 200 species of pest insects which cause damage to stored grains and grain products in storage. The stored chickpea seeds are affected by bruchids. The pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis is the most widespread and destructive insect pest of economically important leguminous chickpea. The pest control of C. chinensis is very important to protect the loss of nutritive and economic value of chickpea. The present study aimed to protect the stored chickpea seeds from C. chinensis infestation using leaf powders of Justicia adhatoda L. and Leucas aspera by analyzing the effect of these two leaf powders on the mortality rate. Through this study, it has been found that J. adhatoda showed more efficacy against C. chinensis and it can be considered as a safer alternative for synthetic chemical insecticides. The study was to investigate the phytochemicals, physico chemical parameters, FTIR spectrum, seed germination percentage and vigour index for their safety and efficacy. The use of natural medicinal plants like J. adhatoda and L. aspera develop a cheap, safe and easy method for the protection of stored grains against the insect pest C. chinensis. Keywords: Callosobruchus chinensis, Biopesticide, Justicia adhatoda, Leucas aspera, Insecticides

Diversity and Distribution of Callosobruchus spp. Attacking Stored Chickpea in Northern Tracts of West Bengal

Diversity of stored grain insects is often neglected, as many researchers and consumers think that it has a limited or no diversity as the consumer tolerance towards insect’s pest in stored grains is zero. In this context a survey was conducted in three districts i.e., Coochbehar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri districts of northern tracts of West Bengal to find the diversity of species of pulse beetle and its species abundance in stored chickpea during 2018-2020. In the collected chickpea seed samples, four species namely, Callosobruchus chinensis L., C. maculatus F., C. analis L. and Callosobruchus sp. (indet) unknown were observed. Coochbehar districts had highest diversity with species evenness (0.49), Brillouin index (1.17), Simpsons index (0.68), Shannon index (1.23), Hill index (0.49) and effective diversity (3.43) followed by Jalpaiguri with Species evenness (0.46), Brillouin index (1.04), Simpson index (0.64), Shannon index (1.09), hill index (0.48) and Effective diversity (2.99). Alipurduar district found lowest species diversity indices. Community structure of Callosobruchus spp. in three districts follows Null model which found as best fit model. It is inferred from the study that the northern tracts of West Bengal four species of pulse beetles are prevailing and further study needs to be undertaken for any strain variation of the pulse beetle in these areas.

Evaluation of Some Botanicals, Thermal Treatment and Packing Materials Against Pulse Beetle Callosobruchus chinensis L. in Chickpea

The pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) is a major pest of stored chickpea. In the present study, efficacy of neem (0.5 and 1.0%) and turmeric powders (0.5 and 1.0%) has been evaluated against this pest, in combination with mustard oil (0.3%), thermal treatment @ 60oC for 20 min and packing materials including open, PP (polypropylene) and LD (low density polyethylene). The results revealed increased efficacy with concentration of neem and turmeric powder. Use of neem oil @ 1.0%+ mustard oil @ 0.3% kept in open packing, proved to be significantly superior at four months of storage. Turmeric powder @ 0.5%+ mustard oil @ 0.3% treated grains showed a significantly better germination. Moisture content differed significantly with treated samples. The colour change and myroflora incidence were comparatively minimum with neem leaf powder @ 0.5%+ mustard oil @ 0.3% treated samples. Thermal treated grains proved superior compared to botanicals, whereas, colour change led to significantly lesser effect. Among the packings, PP and LD packed samples significantly influenced the infestation and germination irrespective of the botanicals.

Effect of botanicals on number of egg laid by Callosobruchus chinensis in stored chickpea

An experiment was conducted to test the efficacy of botanicals against pulse beetle in stored chickpea. Eight treatment including untreated control comprising of Cinnamon powder (3 g/kg), Clove powder(3 g/kg), Black pepper seed powder(3 g/kg), Turmeric rhizome powder(5 g/kg), Acorus calamus rhizome (Vekhand) powder (2 g/kg), Acorus calamus rhizome (Vekhand) powder(4 g/kg), Acorus calamus rhizome (Vekhand) powder (8 g/kg) were used against adult pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis on chickpea grains. All botanicals recorded minimum eggs laid by the pulse beetles on the grain treated with than the untreated control. Acorus calamus rhizome (Vekhand) powder (8 g/kg) and Acorus calamus rhizome (Vekhand) powder (4 g/kg) were found most effective in inhibiting egg laying even up to 6 month of storage after release of insect.

Bio-efficacy of botanicals against pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) in stored chickpea

The laboratory trial revealed that neem leaf powder (6%) followed by melia (6%) and datura leaf powder (8%), recording 31.86, 40.17 and 46.06 per cent mean seed damage and 6.27, 8.61 and 10.84 per cent mean weight loss, respectively proved the best in protecting chickpea from pulse beetle under storage. Neem leaf powder also registered highest Cost-Benefit Ratio (1:2.09) followed by melia leaf powder (1:1.97). Although the synthetic insecticide showed the highest C: B ratio (1:6.17), the botanicals being cheap, locally available, biodegradable, non-hazardous to human as well as animal life and the environment could be considered as seed protectants against storage pests.

Evaluation of Some Botanicals against Callosobruchus chinensis L. Infesting Stored Chickpea Seeds and Bio-Chemical Analysis of Used Botanicals

A study was carried out to evaluate the bio-efficacy of some botanicals against Callosobruchus chinensis L. in stored chickpea (Variety: Anuradha) in the year 2018–20. Different botanicals like Neem (Azadirachta indica), Melia (Melia azedarach), Datura (Datura stramonium) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) were used. Among all the botanicals Neem leaf powder @ 6% performed better with minimum egg laying (64 eggs 5 females-1) compared to the other botanicals except the standard check with Deltamethrin @ 0.04%. Thereafter, 6% Melia leaf powder and 8% Datura leaf powder recorded 87.50 eggs 5 females-1 and 91.25 eggs 5 females-1, respectively. With regard to adult mortality, the best result was also obtained from the treatment Neem leaf powder @6% with 96.67% mortality in 5th day. Following the same trend, 6% Melia leaf powder and 8% Datura leaf powder exhibited 90% and 83.33% adult mortality, respectively, in 5th day. The estimation of total phenols and total antioxidants (IC-50) contents in Neem leaf powder (345.69 mg g-1 and 207.77 μg ml-1), Melia leaf powder (273.40 mg g-1 and 383.68 μg ml-1) and Datura Leaf Powder (213.62 mg g-1 and 405.77 μg ml-1) also confirms the findings of the bio-efficacy trial of the botanicals. Tulsi leaf powder @5% was least efficacious both in terms of egg laying by the females as well as adult mortality. These botanicals are locally available, economic, bio-degradable and safe to the environment. Therefore, they may be fitted in the Integrated Pest Management strategies against stored grain pests as seed protectants.

Delineating the effect of gaseous ozone on disinfestation efficacy, protein quality, dehulling efficiency, cooking time and surface morphology of chickpea grains during storage

Ozone is one of the acceptable and economically viable techniques for treating grains during storage for its residue-free and environment-friendly nature. A laboratory-scale and pilot-scale ozone disinfestation system for chickpea grains was developed. Chickpeas conditioned to different moisture levels (10, 12, 14% wb), infested with Callosobruchus maculatus were stored at different temperatures (15, 23, 31 °C), with varying bed thickness (50, 75, 100 mm), and samples were disinfested by ozone gas at different concentrations (500, 750, 1000 ppm). Ozone concentration, moisture content of the grain, grain bed thickness, and storage temperature had significant (p < 0.01) effects on the disinfestation of C. maculatus insects. 100% insect mortality (adult and egg) and 79% germination were achieved when treated at 1000 ppm ozone for 5 consecutive days. The optimum treatment parameters were tested in pilot-scale bins (250 kg) and the germination ability, protein, milling, and cooking qualities of chickpea grain were evaluated after 6 months storage period. The protein content, germination ability, surface morphological analysis, milling, and cooking time were shown to profoundly deteriorate in the untreated samples as a contrast to that of the ozone-treated samples. Ozonation at higher doses resulted in the crack generation on the surface of the insect eggshell (5–38 μm) and chickpea pericarp (326–711 nm), with added advantages of improved dehulling efficiency of chickpea by 3.1% and reduction in the cooking time by 15 min. The SDS PAGE profiling exhibited major deviations in the protein bands in the stored chickpea. The essential amino acids (EAA) and total amino acids (TAA) decreased in the ozone-treated sample and control sample with storage; however, major deterioration was observed in the control sample stored for 6 months.

Application of clove and dill oils as an alternative of salphos for chickpea food seed storage

Mycological investigations of 25 samples of stored chickpea food seeds (Cicer arietinum L.) from grocery stores of Gurgaon and Gorakhpur revealed occurrence of seventeen fungal species belonging to genus viz., Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Colletotrichum, Curvularia, Fusarium, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Rhizoctonia, and Sclerotium. In these Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Fusarium oxysporum had dominance in terms of per cent occurrence. Only one species of Bruchid (Callosobruchus chinensis L.) occurred in all the 25 samples. The biodeterioration of seeds inoculated with fungi: A. flavus, A. niger, F. oxysporum and the insect—C. chinensis, revealed their role in seed deterioration. For chickpea food seed protection essential oils were extracted from edible commodity(clove(Lavang and dill(sowa) leaf). Clove(Lavang) oil registered highest antifungal activity inhibiting (100%) mycelial growth of fungi, viz. species Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Fusarium oxysporum at 300 ppm but was fungicidal at 400 ppm. Dill (Sowa) oil showed complete inhibition at 400 ppm and was fungicidal at 500 ppm. While mixture of both the oils (clove and dill) showed complete inhibition (100%) and fungicidal action at 400 ppm against the dominant fungi. The oils showed 100% insect repellent activity and were found fungicidal at 0.02 ml dose and also insecticidal. The mixture of oils was cidal at 0.02 ml dose. The mixture of oils showed a broad antifungal spectrum at 500 ppm while only 70–93% inhibitory activity at 300 ppm. The oils' mixture's activity was not affected by temp, storage and autoclaving up to 150 days. Oils physico-chemical properties were studied. GC–MS analysis of clove(Lavang) oil depicted major components: 75.63%eugenol while dill(sowa) leaf oil had 25.14% apiole. Formulation of Mixture of oils was more effective showing complete seed protection i.e.no growth of fungi and insects upto 150 days storage than salphos (150 days). While salphos controlled only maximum three fungi (A. terreus, C. dematium, F. moniliforme). The formulated oils mixture did not have any adverse effect on the chickpea seeds and increased their shelf life.

SCREENING OF VEGETABLE POWDERS USED AS A BIO-INSECTICIDE AGAINST CALLOSOBRUCHUS MACULATUS F. (CHRYSOMELIDAE: BRUCHINAE)

The beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (F. 1775) (Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) is a destructive pest of stored chickpea seeds. Bio-pesticides are pesticides of animal, plant and bacterial origin. Plant products are among the best known substances tested against insects. These products have an insecticidal and repellent effect on insects and can also affect certain biological parameters such as fecundity, life span and reproduction. In search of plant bio-pesticides to control Callosobruchus maculatus main pest of stored chickpea seeds, 18 plants traditionally used in Morocco to control insect pests have been tested in the laboratory, for their toxic effects against this beetle. A conventional synthetic insecticide was included as a positive control, while untreated seed was used as a control. The toxicity of the powders was assessed by measuring the parameters of the life cycle in a situation of non-choice maintained at a climatic chamber with a temperature of 25 ±1 degrees Celsius, a relative humidity of 75% and a photoperiod of 14h (light) / 10h (darkness) for several successive generations. The powders of Mentha pulegium and Syzygium aromaticum have completely wiped out the population of the bruches (% IR=100%) 2%, 1% and 0.5% p/p. Similarly, the powders of the two plants retained the weights of the seeds, which remain significantly different (P &lt; 0.01) at the weight of the control. Also Origanum compactum , Mentha officinalis, Allium sativum Zingiber officinale, Urtica doica and Calamintha officinalis have significantly reduced (P &lt; - 0.01) the population of bruches, the percentage reduction reached (97.5, 89.32, 72.84, 50.3, 46.52 and 39.24% by the highest 2%). The other plants show no significant difference from the control. The results therefore suggest that Syzygium aromaticum powder and Mentha pulegium have an insecticide potential similar to those of conventional insecticides and could be a biotechnological alternative against C. maculatus infestations and damag

Evaluation of traditional method of stored product protection: Effect of mixing tef (Eragrostis tef) grains with stored chickpea on occurrence of Adzuki bean beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis) and its natural enemies

The effect of a traditional stored chickpea protection method on occurrence of Adzuki bean beetle and its natural enemies was studied using cultivars Natoli and Arerti. Quncho, a white-seed tef, was admixed with chickpea grain on replacement basis at the rate of 0% (10 kg chickpea grain), 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%. Each treatment was replicated three times and arranged in two factors nested design. None of the chickpea–tef mixture treatments did affect the occurrence of Adzuki bean beetle and its natural enemies; while chickpea cultivar significantly affected all studied variables. Thus, there were lower numbers of grains with eggs; eggs per grain; grains with holes; holes per grain; Adzuki bean beetle emergence holes per grain; and natural enemy emergence holes per grain on grains of Arerti than on grains of Natoli. But percentage parasitism was markedly greater on Arerti than Natoli. Anisopteromalus calandrae and Dinarmus basalis were the natural enemies of Adzuki bean beetle found in chickpea–tef mixture and together they caused up to 98% larval parasitism in grains of Arerti and 56% in Natoli.

Eco-friendly management of pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis Linn. of stored chickpea seed

The experiment was conducted under laboratory condition in the Department of Entomology, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agricultural and technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya to find out the eco-friendly management of pulse beetle, C. chinensis Linn. in stored chickpea cv; PG-186 seed under ambient condition by using some promising botanicals as seed protectant viz., neem oil @ 5 ml/kg seed, mustard oil @ 5 ml/kg seed, coconut oil @ 5 ml/kg seed, citronella oil @ 5 ml/kg seed, karanj leaf powder 5 g/kg seed, marigold leaf powder 5 g/kg seed, lemon grass leaf powder 5 g/kg seed, neem leaf powder 5 g/kg seed and deltamethrin 2.8 EC as check @ 0.04 ml/kg seed. Among tested all seed protectants besides chemicals, deltamethrin 2.8 EC; Neem oil @ 5 ml kg-1seed followed by Mustaard oil @ 5 ml kg-1 seed was found most effective botanical as seed protectant in due to less seed damage and weight loss with high germination percent i.e. above IMSCS upto 9 month of chickpea storage periods.

Evaluating different hermetic storage technologies to arrest mold growth, prevent mycotoxin accumulation and preserve germination quality of stored chickpea in Ethiopia

Chickpea is an economically important pulse produced by millions of smallholder farmers as a source of food, income and nutrition in Ethiopia. Mold infection and mycotoxin production can potentially lead to significant losses of chickpea during storage. Under laboratory conditions we tested comparative effects of hermetic and traditional storage structures on mold infection, germination and mycotoxin levels of chickpea. Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags, Super GrainPro (SGP) bags, and small metal bins were compared to the traditional and popularly used chickpea storage structures such as polypropylene (PP) bags and jute bags over a six-month storage period. Oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, chickpea temperature and moisture, seed infection with molds and percentage germination and mycotoxins levels were determined every two months for six months. In PICS bags, SGP bags and metal bins chickpea temperature and moisture changed very little during storage, whereas in jute and PP bags significant temperature and moisture increases were observed. Oxygen levels in PICS and SGP bags decreased from 20% to 8–10% in six months and carbon dioxide levels increased from 0.4% to 10% in PICS bags and from 0.1% to 17% in SGP bags. In jute and PP bags, oxygen levels were around 20% but carbon dioxide levels increased from 0.05% to 0.1–0.2%, perhaps due to mold activity. Mold infection decreased over time in chickpea stored in PICS bags, SGP bags, and metal bins, and seed germination was high (82–92%). Mold infection increased and seed germination decreased in chickpea stored in jute and PP bags. Increases in levels of aflatoxin, fumonisin, deoxynevalenol, and ochratoxin were observed only for chickpea stored in metal bins, and in jute and PP bags. Our study showed that PICS and SGP bags can effectively arrest mold growth, mycotoxin accumulation and preserve germination of chickpea during six months of storage.

Efficacy of seven Turkish diatomaceous earths against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchninae) on stored chickpea: Presentation

In this study, insecticidal efficacy of seven different local diatomaceous earths (DE) obtained from different deposits in Turkey together with two commercial DEs, Silicosec® (Biofa AG- Germany) and Desect® (Ep Naturals- America) against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchninae) an important pest of stored chickpea at five different concentrations (100, 300, 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm) was evaluated. The local DEs were coded as BGN, BHN, AG2N, AC2N, CB2N, CCN, FB2N. Mortality of the adults was assessed after 1, 3, 5 and 7 days of exposure, and consequently progeny (F1) production on treated chickpeas was recorded 42 days later. The tests were carried out under laboratory conditions of 25±1 °C, 55±5 % R.H. in a dark place. The most effective DEs after 1 day of exposure were CCN, AG2N and BHN causing 75%, 59%, 58% mortalities, respectively at 1500 ppm concentration. Silicosec®, Desect®, BGN, AC2N, applied at 1500 ppm concentration achieved 98-100% mortality of C.maculatus after 7 days of exposure, showing similar high insecticidal efficacy. The CCN, BHN, AG2N and CB2N caused 97-99% reduction in progeny (F1) production. Generally, increasing concentration significantly reduced the progeny production. In conclusion, this study has shown that three Turkish DEs, namelyCCN, AG2N and BHN highly toxic to C. maculatus after 3 days of exposurein comparison with commercial DEs Silicosec® and Desect®. These local DEs could be used in the management of pests of stored chickpea.

Nutritional alterations and damages to stored chickpea in relation with the pest status of Callosobruchus maculatus (Chrysomelidae)

The identification of substitute products for the replacement of wheat flours for paste and bread is a strategy which may help to overcome the wheat yield problems and to meet the huge consumption rates in Tunisia. In this respect, chickpea flour can provide good opportunities. Nevertheless, seed beetles were the major constraints to achieve this goal. This paper presents extensive data on the pest status of Callosobruchus maculatus infesting chickpea in relation to its damage on chickpea seeds and flour. Data on population dynamics, growth and demographic parameters, economic injury level (EIL) and impact on functional and physical properties under two food supply conditions were studied. Results revealed that C. maculatus is a major pest altering nutritional properties of stored chickpea. Our results showed that the food supplies influence the reproductive behavior and demographic traits of C. maculatus leading to significant impacts on seed germination, weight loss and functional and physical properties. Under food optimal conditions, fertility rates were 38.1 and 47.2% respectively for Amdoun 1 and Beja 1. Moreover, the intrinsic rate of increase r and the finite rate of increase λ reached, respectively, 0.057 and 1.06 ♀/♀/days for Amdoun 1 and 0.048 and 1.05 ♀/♀/days for Beja 1. On the other hand, results showed that germination reduction depended on C. maculatus infestation level. Moreover, this work pointed out the variability of EILs with host varieties. Results also revealed that C. maculatus seed infestation led to nutritional changes in the seeds. The proximate seed composition was significantly influenced by variety and seeds category. Increases in percentages of protein (33.05 and 22.53% for 53 Amdoun 1), moisture (10.80 and 10.67% for Amdoun 1) and ash have been observed in infested seeds; decreases were observed in percentages of crude fat, carbohydrates (47.96 and 58.69% for Amdoun 1) and nutritional values (355.90 and 367.51kcal for Amdoun 1) for the same infested seeds.