Insecticidal Activity of Methanolic Extract of Calotropis Procera against Callosobruchus Maculatus using Moong Seeds (Vigna Radiata)

Abstract

Food quality and safety are directly depending on the worth of raw material used. Screening of plant extracts for deleterious effect on insects is one of the approaches in the search of novel biological insecticides for longer shelf life and quality of the seeds. Application of several medicinal plant products has drawn much attention as effective alternatives to the synthetic pesticides. Calotropis Procera exhibited several medicinal properties hence selected for the control of Callosobruchus maculatus using moong seeds (Vigna radiata). Different concentrations (1.0, 1.5 and 5.0%) of methanolic crude extract of Calotropis procera were evaluated for insecticidal activity against C.maculatus using moong seeds. Germination study was carried out before treatment (24.66%). Ovipostion and adult emergence was evaluated at three different concentrations. Maximum oviposition deterrent activity was observed in control sample (86.33%) followed by 1.0% (78%), 2.5% (40.33%) and 5.0% (30.66%). Reduction in adult emergence was also high after using the different extracts concentration i.e.1.0% (65.36%), 2.5% (21.76%) and 5.0% (8.10%). At 5.0 % concentration weight loss was found to be significant 5.99%. Germination rate was also improved as the concentration of extract increased which again shows the augmentation in germination of seeds. Significant results in all evaluated parameter at 5.0 % concentration specify insecticidal property of methanolic crude extract which after identification and characterization of inhibitory molecules may commercialize and further applied in food as well as other agricultural sector.

Key words: Calotropis Procera, Vigna radiata, Callosobruchus maculatus, oviposition deterrent activity, adult emergence