Abstract

TOXIC EFFECT OF PIPER NIGRUM AND ZINGIBER OFFICINALE EXTRACTS ON THE MORTALITY OF FLOUR BEETLE TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM HERBST (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE) ON STORED WHEAT

*Dr. Rosaline Mary and Durga Devi V.

ABSTRACT

Wheat is a major cereal in India after rice. India has emerged as the 2nd largest producer of wheat after China and accounted for 12.06 per cent share of total world production of wheat. Due to sustained efforts made by policy makers, agricultural scientists, extension workers and receptive farmers, the production of wheat dramatically increased manifold on account of adoption of modern production technology. A considerable amount of wheat as well as other grains is lost every year in storage due to biotic and abiotic factors. Stored wheat grains are subjected to the attack of many pests and diseases in storage. There are approximately 200 species of insects and mites attacking stored grains and stored products. Insects are a foremost cause of losses to wheat grain and ultimately to producers as a result of direct feeding or as carriers or vectors of certain diseases. Severe insect infections surely cause weight losses and deteriorate kernel quality, which can range from limited to state-wide in scope. The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) is worldwide and most destructive pest of stored products and is cosmopolitan in distribution. It is the most common pest of wheat flour. Many indigenous plants have been used against insect pest of stored grains and other crops in India. Over 120 plants and plant products can be used for the control of stored grain insect pests. Piper nigrum and Zingiber officinale play defensive role against infections by microbes, insects and animals. Thus, the present study provides a comprehensive account of important medicinal properties of these versatile spices for the mortality of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) on stored wheat.

Keywords: Stored wheat, Insect pest Tribolium castaneum, Mortality rate, Medicinal Plant extracts-Piper nigrum and Zingiber officinale).