Phagodeterrent bioefficacy of Gynendropsis pentaphylla, Withamnia somnifera and Alpinia galanga against chickpea bruchids, Callosobruchus chinensis (Linn.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to test phago-deterrent bio-potency of ten naturally occurring indigenous plant extracts in the Biopesticides and Toxicological research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Entomology, D.B.S. College, Kanpur, U.P., India. Therefore, it becomes necessary to look for the suitable ten asteraceous plant extracts, which are known to be eco-friendly. Diferrent formulations of asteraceous plant extracts were tested for their repellent activity against the early emerged pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis Linn. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Among them, only three extracts viz Gynendropsis pentaphylla, Withamnia somnifera and Alpinia galanga extracts was proved most effective repellent in compare to other. Based on relative EC50 values G. pentaphylla extract showed highest repellency (6.18) to the early emerged adult beetle, C. chinensis followed by W. somnifera (5.67) and A. galanga (4.83) times repellent than A. calamus against C. chinensis, which is taken as unit. Beside above the selected rest of the plants exhibited varying degree of lesser or moderate repellent effects. Thus, Gynendropsis pentaphylla and Withamnia somnifera formulations can be used as an effective option of commercial fumigants for the storage of chick pea seeds against pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis Linn.