Insecticidal activity of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and garlic (Allium sativum) extracts against red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum:A safe alternative to insecticides in stored commodities

Abstract

Study was aimed at the use of indigenous medicinal plants to check the invasion of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) against wheat grains. Acetone leaf extracts of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and garlic (Allium sativum) were used to evaluate their antifedant, toxicant, and growth regulatory effects against adults of T. castaneum. Four concentrations (5, 10, 15 and 20 %) of each extractalong-with a control treatment with five replications were applied. Thirty adults of T. castaneum were subjected to different treatments. Results painted that percent mortality was directly proportional to increasing concentration of extracts. Both A. sativum and C. longa significantly reduced the larval, pupal and adult emergence as well as percent weight loss (at α 5%) but A. sativum performed better as compared to the C. longa. Hence it can be concluded that both the botanicals can be used as effective tool against T. castaneum along-with other IPM tactics.