Effect of Botanicals against Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) in Stored Mung Bean

The study evaluated three botanical biopesticides viz., azadirachtin (10,000 ppm), acorus oil and acorus powder for their efficacy against the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius 1775) in stored mung bean (Vigna radiata L.), with spinosad as a chemical check. Experiments were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions for a storage period of five months. The botanicals completely inhibited oviposition and adult emergence, resulting in zero insect damage and seed weight loss, while spinosad and untreated seeds showed progressive increases in oviposition, adult emergence, up to 44 per cent seed damage and 9 per cent weight loss. Seed quality parameters, including germination percentage (85-87%), seedling length (22.36 -21.14 cm), seedling dry weight (0.15- 0.14 gm) and vigour indices (S.V.I I-1953.95-1833.73, S.V.I II- 13.38-12.42) were significantly better preserved in botanical treatments compared to spinosad (39%) and control (32%). The results highlight the potential of azadirachtin @ 0.6%, acorus oil @ 2.5% and acorus powder @ 5g kg-1 as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic insecticides for safe and sustainable management of pulse beetles in stored mung bean.