Abstract

Under storage conditions, pulses suffer maximum grain loss due to the dreaded stored grain bruchid pests. Effect of different grain protectants on oviposition of pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus showed that untreated check (13.31) registered the maximum number of eggs followed by seed treated with coarse river sand (11.62). Minimum number of eggs was recordedin activated clay (5.76) followed by talc powder (6.58) and fly ash (7.12). Different grain protectants on adult emergence of pulse beetle, found that activated clay (62.27) and talc powder (96.27) were found to be equally effective. Untreated check showed more number of adult emergence. Grain protectants on percent grain damage by pulse beetle, indicated that activated clay (25.94) and talc powder (31.82) were equally effective followed by fly ash (34.49).

Key words: Black gram, Bruchids, grain protectants, oviposition, percent damage.