P. Hemasankari, R. Kailappan, S. Mohan and V.V. Sreenarayanan
Abstract
Cereals and pulses from 75% of the basic staples produced in the developing world and provide more than 60% of the per capita energy intake. Legumes that form a part of diets of masses in developing countries, are rich sources of proteins. But the losses during storage due to insects are frightening to contemplate as compared to production. The stored product pests are generally controlled by chemical pesticides in the form of fumigants and contact insecticides. The growing public concern over the widespread hazardous chemicals in pest control limits the use of pesticides in stored products. Moreover, there are only a few insecticides that are permitted for use on or near the stored products. So effective control measures having no or least interference to the ecological system is the need of the day. The present study was made to expose the possibilities of management of the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis occurring in stored blackgram using modified atmosphere. From the study it was observed that the egg and the adult stages of Callosobruchus chinensis were more susceptible to the high concentration of CO2 ie., 61% and was controlled within 2 days of exposure. But the larval and pupal stages required 8 and 10 days of exposure for achieving cent per cent mortality. Lower levels of 21% and 44% recorded only lower per cents of mortality as compared with 61% carbon dioxide concentration for the same exposure time. Carbon dioxide gas at 61% concentration for 10 days exposure effectively controlled the field carry over population, which is the prime source of infestation from harvest to storage. The study also revealed that the biochemical qualities and germination of the grain were not affected by the gases used in the modified atmosphere storage conditions.