EFFICACY OF SOME PLANT-PRODUCTS AS GRAIN PROTECTANTS AGAINST RHIZOPERTHA-DOMINICA (F) (COLEOPTERA, BOSTRICHIDAE)

Twenty-two medicinal plant powders, ash of plant origin and sorbic acid were evaluated as grain protectants against Rhizopertha dominica (F.). Rauwolfia serpentina, sorbic acid, Acorus calamus, Messua ferrea and Albizia lebbeck were found effective at 1% (w/w) in a first screening test and all these products were further assessed at 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0% (w/w). Rauwolfia serpentina completely inhibited feeding and F1 progeny production whereas sorbic acid inhibited infestation by more than 85% and F1 progeny production by 93% even at a concentration of 0.25%. Messua ferrea and A. calamus achieved more than 80% suppression at 0.50%. Albizia lebbeck exerted appreciable control at 1%.