Management of rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) by using non-toxic plant powders in stored groundnut seeds

Abstract

Laboratory experiment was conducted to study the efficacy of botanical powders viz., neem leaf powder, lantana leaf powder, custard apple leaf powder, eucalyptus leaf powder, marigold flower powder, turmeric rhizome powder, neem seed kernel powder, ginger rhizome powder, and garlic bulb powder @ 2.5 g/100 g kernels in protecting stored groundnuts against rice moth. Neem seed kernel powder was found to be most effective in protecting stored groundnuts against rice moth as it recorded highest oviposition deterrence of 92.16%, maximum reduction of adult emergence of 95.89%, lowest longevity of male (2.85 days) and female (2.89 days) moths, lowest fecundity of 42.80 eggs per female and lowest egg viability of 43.96%. Next effective treatments were neem leaf powder and eucalyptus leaf powder @ 2.5 g/100 g kernels. None of the plant powders had hindered the germination of groundnut seeds during storage periods of up to 120 days.