Impact of green leafy vegetable extracts on the mortality of pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus F. in cowpea

Pathmavathy R; Maheswari G

Impact of green leafy vegetable extracts on the mortality of pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus F. in cowpea

Authors
Pathmavathy R, Maheswari G

Abstract
An investigation was carried out in the laboratory to evaluate the efficacy of petroleum ether extracts of selected green leafy vegetables against the notorious pulse beetle, C.maculatus F. in cowpea, Vigna unguiculata L. The powdered leaves of selected plants (Centella asiatica, Alternanthera sessilis, Eclipta alba, Phyllanthus amarus and Solanum trilobatum) were soxhlete extracted using petroleum ether as solvent. 25 g of cowpea were weighed, kept in individual polythene bags and treated with 1 %, 3 % and 5 % concentration of leaf extracts. An untreated and acetone treated control were maintained simultaneously. 5 pairs of newly emerged insects were introduced into each bag. Regular observations were made at every 24 hours interval for twelve days on adult mortality and only 2^nd, 5^th and 7^th day observations were taken for analysis. The data were subjected to two-way analysis of variance and the mean were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The values of percentage mortality were transformed to ARC sine before ANOVA. The overall result indicated that the significant variation was observed for the treatments and control. Cent per cent mortality of C. maculatus was registered in all the three doses (1%, 3% and 5%) of Alternanthera on 5 day of observations. Among the treatments, the petroleum ether extract of Solanum recorded highest percentage of mortality, the mean value being 67.77 per cent on 2 DAT and 87.77 per cent on 5 DAT. The findings of the present investigation indicates that botanical derivatives might be useful as insect control agents for commercial use. Petroleum ether extracts of Alternanthera and Solanum are an inexpensive and effective technique and its easy adaptability will give an additional advantage of acceptance of this technology by the farmers.

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