Biological repercussions of addition of botanicals to wheat grains on the progeny and damage potential of rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.) at different temperature regimes

• Published in: Cereal research communications 2024-03, Vol.52 (1), p.203-213
• Main Authors: Mohammad, Reem, Roy, Subhalaxmi, Mishra, Bijoy Kumar, Khamari, Bhagyashree
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Life Sciences; Original Article; Plant Breeding/Biotechnology; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant Physiology
• ISSN: 0133-3720; 1788-9170
• DOI: 10.1007/s42976-023-00385-3

The management of stored-grain insects, including the rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae , is a challenge to ensure sound healthy grains. Botanical insecticides are safe and effective alternatives to chemical insecticides and are recommended to be used in the Integrated Pest Management program. Also, the manipulation of storage temperature is a promising tool in the management of stored-product insects. Laboratory experiments on the effects of 9 different plant powders at 5% concentration and two temperatures 20 and 25 °C, on the biology and damage potential of rice weevil are conducted. Neem Seed Kernel Powder (NSKP) was the most effective treatment recording fecundity of 3.87 and 7.42 eggs, egg to the adult stage of 41.2 and 34.9 days, adult emergence rate of 3.58 and 5.95%, male longevity of 3.0 and 2.4 days, female longevity of 3.3 and 2.8 days, mortality rate of 92.14 and 96.51%, seed weight loss of 0.62 and 1.10% and seed damage of 5.92 and 7.53% at 20 and 25 °C, respectively. Chili dried fruit and Calotropis leaf powders exhibited good results. Lantana leaf powder was the least effective at both temperatures and for all the above parameters. The use of NSKP, chili dried fruit and Calotropis leaves powders at a low temperature of 20 °C is an effective measure for controlling rice weevil while preserving the vitality and activity of the seeds as much as possible.