An Eco-Friendly Management of Pulse Beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis using Neem Formulations in Black Gram

The efficacy of different neem products like neem seed powder, neem cake, neem dry leaf powder, neem oil and commercially available neem formulations viz. , Econeem plus, Neemindia and Neemazal were evaluated in the laboratory for the control of pulse beetle, C. chinensis in stored black gram. The black gram seed was treated with the neem products were stored under ambient conditions and the data was recorded at three months interval on germinability, seedling vigour index and insect damage. All the neem formulations were found to be effective against C. chinensis in stored black gram up to 15 months of storage. Neem oil @ 5 ml/kg seed affected badly the germinability and seedling vigour of black gram seed under storage. The neem formulations viz. , Neemazal, Econeem plus and neem cake were on par with deltamethrin found to be very effective against pulse beetle and improved the storability and quality of black gram seed. These neem products are safe, cheap, residue free and eco-friendly seed protectants that can fit into the IPM package of stored grain pests of black gram