EFFICACY OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS AGAINST THE PULSE BEETLE, CALLOSOBRUCHUS CHINENSIS L. (COLEOPTERA : BRUCHIDAE) INFESTING BENGAL GRAM (CICER ARIETINUM) SEED

The efficacy of Some locally available medicinal plant powders and their alcoholic extracts, viz. rhizome of Sweet flag, kernel of Neem, seeds of Karanj, leaves of Nirgudi, Swastik, Tulsi and Sadaphuli was evaluated at 1% and 2% dose concentration (CD 100 g seeds as pre-storage treatment against pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L. on Bengal gram, Cicer arietinum seeds. Among the plant products, rhizome powder and alcoholic extracts of Sweet flag offered maximum protection i.e. decreases in percentage of egg laid, seed damage and Weight loss, which was closely followed by powder and alcoholic extracts of Neem, Karanj and Nirgudi at same dose concentrations. Remaining plant material offered moderate protection and was on par with untreated control. The parameters like percentage of egg laid, grain damage and loss in weight are indication of protection of quality of pulse seeds.