Evaluation of termiticidal activity and phytochemical anaylsis of Crotalaria burhia (Buch-Ham) and Anacardium occidentale (L.)

Abstract

Crotalaria burhia (Buch-Ham) a member of fabaceae family and Anacardium occidentale (L.) belonging to family anacardaceae were tested for their termiticidal activity against Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) a major pest in wheat, sugarcane, maize and groundnut under laboratory conditions. Different concentration of aqueous root extracts of C. burhia and leaf dust of A. occidentale were prepared using standard methods. Aqueous root extracts of C. burhia at (10%) concentration resulted in 73.33 per cent mortality which was on par with higher concentration of (20%) which resulted in 76.67 per cent mortality. Powdered leaf dust of A. occidentale at (5%) resulted in 53.33 per cent mortality which was on par with (10 %) concentration. In both the experiments chlropyriphos maintained as a standard check gave cent per cent mortality 24 hours after treatment. Lower doses of C. burhia and A. occidentale were less effective against O. obesus and the phytochemical analysis of aqueous root extract of C. burhia and leaf dust of A. occidentale were found to possess carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, flavonoids, saponins, wax, terpenoids, mucilage and gum. The termiticidal property of both the botanicals may be due to the presence of secondary metabolites which were already proved lethal to insects.