African Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 2(10), pp. 552-554, October, 2007

ISSN 1991- 637X­© 2007 Academic Journals

Short Communication

Effect of formulations of Solanum surratense (Family: Solanaceae) an Indian desert plant on oviposition by the pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis Linn.

Meera Srivastava* and Lalita Gupta

Laboratory of Entomology, P.G. Department of Zoology, Govt. Dungar College, Bikaner-3340 03, Rajasthan, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: meerayk@rediffmail.com

Accepted 23 August, 2007

The pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis Linn. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) is one of the major pests infesting stored pulses and is distributed worldwide. Plants and plant products possessing insecticidal properties have been used as an alternative to control the infestation caused by this pest. The present study was undertaken to study the effect of different formulations viz., aqueous suspension, aqueous extract and ether extracts of 10, 5, 2.5 and 1% concentrations of various parts (root, stem, leaf, fruit) of plant Solanum surratense (family:Solanaceae) on egg laying by the pulse beetle C. chinensis Linn.. A significant reduction in the oviposition (eggs laid per pair) of insects was observed in various experimental sets. It went down to 2 - 5 eggs /pair in sets treated with 10% aqueous extract and aqueous suspension of fruits. It can therefore be suggested that the plant under study is potent enough against C. chinensis and can be at least partially substituted as against synthetic pesticides.                                                                                                           

Key words: Callosobruchus chinensis, Solanum surratense, oviposition, formulations, extracts