Screening of endophytic fungal extract of Calotropis procera for insecticidal activity against Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Abstract

The isolation and insecticidal activity of endophytic fungal extract of leaf and seed of Calotropis procera against pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis were studied. Endophytic fungi were isolated from the freshly collected leaf and seed of Calotropis procera and subcultured. The various concentrations of methanol and ethyl acetate crude endophytic fungal extracts were tested against Callosobruchus chinensis. The percent mortality was recorded after 96h.The insecticidal activity of the endophytic fungi isolated from leaf of Calotropis procera were (LD10= 28.02mg/kg, LD50= 83.89mg/kg) in methanol and (LD10= 30.63mg/kg, LD50= 121.6mg/kg) in ethyl acetate respectively. The fungi isolated from seed of Calotropis procera were (LD10= 38.86mg/kg, LD50= 91.64mg/kg) in methanol and (LD10= 51.87mg/kg, LD50= 124.8mg/kg) in ethyl acetate respectively. The mortality increases with increase in concentration of endophytic fungi. The methanol solvent extract showed more insecticidal property against C. chinensis due to the secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi. Statistical variance, 95% confidence limits and regression equations are presented.