Studies on effect of essential oils on quality characters of pea seeds (Pisum sativum L.) damaged by Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted during 2014 in the month of July- August in the Department of Seed Science and Technology. Six plant essential oils viz. Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora L.), wild marigold (Tegetes minuta L.), cone-bearing sage (Meriandra strobilifera B.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus L.) and sweet flag (Acorus calamus L.) were used to coat the seeds @ 2.5,1.25,0.60 and 0.30 per cent concentrations in four replications. Minimum seed damage (0.33%) and weight loss (0.23%) was recorded with sweetflag essential oil. Seed damage and weight loss was nil in sweetflag essential oil at 2.5 per cent concentration and 1.25 per cent. Maximum seed germination was in sweetflag essential oil (92.75%).Maximum seed vigour index-I (1665.19) and seed vigour index-II (2115.74) was with sweet flag essential oil followed by lemon grasss. Thus, sweetflag (Acorus calamus L.) essential oil was best in protecting peas seeds against C. chinensis.