Botanical management of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) in sorghum seeds

Abstract

Laboratory experiment was conducted to study the efficacy of botanicals against the management of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) in sorghum seeds. Leaf powders of Catharanthus roseus (Periwinkle), Vitex negundo (Nochi), Calotropis gigantea (Milkweed), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Annona squamosa (Custard apple) and Acorus calamus TNAU formulation @ 10 ml / kg of seeds were evaluated. Leaf powders at the rate of 10 g/kg of seeds were admixed with 500 g of sorghum seeds. Immediately after treatment and at monthly intervals up to a period of six months, mortality was recorded after 3, 7 and 15 days. Seed damage, weight loss and germination was assessed after six months. Higher mortality of S. oryzae, lower seed damage and lower weight loss were observed in A. calamus formulation treatment and less than 20.0 per cent mortality in botanical leaf powder treatments.