Insecticidal activity of the seed extracts of Annona squamosa Linn. against Callosobruchus analis in green gram, Vigna radiata Linn. R. Wilczek
S. Nandhini, G. Maheswari and M. S. Santhanambika*
*Research Scholar, Department of Zoology, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore-641011 (India) Mail Id: santhanamabikasakthivel096@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Stored grain pests are one of the major constraints in affecting the quantity and nutritional quality of the food grains in storage areas. An attempt was made in the laboratory to test the efficiency of indigenous Annona seed extracts to manage pulse beetles, Callosobruchus analis.The test insect, Callosobruchus analis, was collected from the pulses Department of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Green grams were procured to culture the insects and maintained at a BOD incubator at 28 ± 2°C and 70-75% relative humidity. Newly emerged adults within 24 hours of emergence were used for bioassay studies.The seeds of Annona (Annona squamosa) collected from the local fruit stalls were dried and pulverized.The seed powders were subjected to Soxhlet extraction using solvents such as petroleum benzene, chloroform, acetone and alcohol based onthe order of their increasing polarity.The test solutions of different concentration (1%, 3%, & 5% doses) were prepared and mixed with 25g of green gram. Five pairs of test insects were introduced, three replications were kept for each concentration and controls.Observations were made on the adult mortality, adult emergence, weight loss of seeds, germination and vigor index of seedlings.The result on the mean values of mortality of C.analis in Annona treated green gram showed cent percent mortality on the first day itself at higher concentration levels(1%, 3%, 5%) moderate variation of mortality was noticed between control and the treatments of lower concentration (1000, 5000, 10000 ppm).