EFFICACY OF FEW PLANT EXTRACTS AS GRAIN PROTECTANTS AGAINST TRIBOLIUM CONFUSUM

Four plants extracts, viz. Azadirachta indica (Neem), Ocimum gratissimum (Ram Tulsi), Ocimum americanum (Shyam Tulsi), and Mentha Spicata (Mint) were evaluated as stored rice grain protectant (a) 2.5ml, 5ml and 7.5ml/ 50g grain against the development of confused flour beetles, Tribolium confusum. The survival percentage of the beetle is reduced significantly in the grain treated with A. indica extract (a) 2.5ml & 5ml, 50g rice. This beetle failed to survive in the grain (a) 7.5ml, 50g followed by M. splicata, O. americanum and O. gratissimum where as the survival percentage in the grain treated with other plant extracts range from 14.35 to 27.00%. The extract of test plants (a) 2.5ml, 5ml & 7.5ml, 50g grain prolonged the development from 5 to 14 days on an average. The toxic effect of plants extracts is being studied on life cycle, growth & mortality of beetle. All plant extracts were effective as compared to control against T. confusum due to the fumigant effect of organic constituent of plant extracts.