Low cost solar energy bed for control of pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) for safe storage of green gram, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek: Renewable energy for rural and urban households needs

摘要

A low cost solar bed developed was tested for utilization of solar energy for control of pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) which infests stored green gram pulse, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek. Infested green gram pulse is rendered unfit for human consumption. 12 green gram samples, each weighing 1 Kg. were prepared for 4 treatments, each treatment replicated thrice including control. Solar bed was prepared by placing a black polyethylene sheet on wheat husk mattress on bare ground. First exposure of all 10 % infested samples except control was given on solar bed for 5, 10 and 15 minutes on three solar beds before storage followed by second and third exposure after 60 and 120 days of storage, respectively. Results indicated that subsequent control in 10% green gram infestation level due to pulse beetle after exposure on solar bed for 5 minutes (from 10% to 15.%, 20.32% and 21.85%), 10minutes (from 10% to 12.7%, 16.1% and 18.3%) and 15 minutes (from 10% to 11.06%, 11.4% and 10.9%) were better than in control (unexposed ) i.e. 25.3%, 54.5% and 72.0% at 60, 120 and 180 days after storage, respectively. At 60 days of storage after first exposure for 15 minutes, increase from 10% level to 11.06% level of green gram due to pulse beetle though at par with level of 12.7% on exposure on solar bed for 10 minutes, it differed significantly from rest of the treatments. At 120 days of storage after second exposure for 15 minutes, the increase from 10% level to 11.4% level of green-gram due to pulse beetle different significantly from 20.32%, and 16.1 exposed on solar bed for 5 minutes and 10 minutes, respectively. At 180 days, 15 minutes' three exposures proved better as increase in 10% infestation level was much less i.e. 10.9% as compared to 21.85 and 18.3% in 5 and 10 minutes exposures, respectively. Therefore, cost effective renewable solar energy bed for rural and urban households needs may be effectively used as alternative method of chemical control for safe storage of pulse green gram at small scale level for prosperity. Thus, renewable energy can supplement huge additional energy needs.