Efficacy of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium, Neorautanenia mitis and Gnidia kraussiana against Larger Grain Borer (Prostephanus truncatus Hom) and Maize Weevil (Sitophilus zeamays Motschulsky) on Maize (Zea mays L.) Grain Seeds

摘要

Studies to evaluate the effectiveness of natural protectants in controlling Prostephanus truncatus and Sitophilus zeamays in stored maize were conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. The treatments consisted of natural protectants viz., pyrethrum (Chrysa/ithemum cinerariae/o/ium), JVeorautanenia mitis, N. mitis with talc as carrier, Gnidia kraussiana powder and untreated control. Actellic Super Dust was included as a standard insecticide control. The data collectedincluded the number of dead and live insects, number of damaged and undamaged maize seeds, number of holes per seed, percentage damage and weight loss. Seeds treated with Actellic super dust, pyrethrum and G. kraussiana powder had significantly lower number of live insects and damaged seeds as compared to untreated control. Among the natural protectants, pyrethrum and G. kraussiana powder showed good potential in protecting maize grain against P. truncatus and S. zeamays. Positive and significant correlations between the numbers of five insects with number of damaged seeds, percentage damaged seeds, average number of holes per seed and weight loss were observed.