Vol. 8, Issue 9, Part L (2024)

Behavioral responses of Callosobruchus maculatus Fab. to odours/volatiles from five different pulses viz. cowpea, green gram, pigeon pea, gram and black gram treated with eight different organic products like Agniastra, Jeevamrit, Ghanajeevamrit, Brahmastra, Neemastra, Mixed-leaf extract, Dashparni extract and Chilli-Garlic extract at 3% concentration were compared in olfactometer bioassay. The preferential studies for adult pulse beetles were carried out under Free Choice Test using treated and untreated pulse grains. It was observed that the beetles preferred the untreated pulse grains over the treated grains. Overall results showed that, efficacy of different organic products not only varied treatment wise but also pulse wise. Treatment T₉, Dashparni extract was found to be very effective in controlling pulse beetle, C. maculatus. Along with Dashparni extract (T₉), Brahmastra (T₄), Agniastra (T₁) and Neemastra (T₅) were also found to be effective. Among the different pulses used, cowpea was found to be most susceptible to pulse beetle infestation followed by green gram, pigeon pea, gram and black gram.