Damage and Weight Loss Due to Callosobruchus chinensis Infestation in Arhar and Their Effect on Germination during Storage of Most Susceptible Months

Abstract

India is at the top in the area of cultivation as well as production of pulses which is about 35% of global acreage and 25% of the world’s production. Large group of the population is still vegetarian and pulses are part of their staple diet. The low fat and high fiber content in addition to small amounts of essential amino acids enhance the nutritional value of pulses. PEM is a type of malnutrition which occurs due lack of adequate amount of protein in diet. The production and consumption gap of 3.8 million tons of pulses culminated into import of not less than 4 million tons. Pulses are attacked by insect pests; Callosobruchus spp is most serious pest. Infestation starts in the agricultural field even prior to harvesting and continues during storage causing significant loss of grains. Present work has been done to assess the damage caused by Callosobruchus spp. and their effect on germination of various high yielding varieties of Arhar during storage of most susceptible period. Two varieties of Arhar grains were infested during the rainy season having a min. and max. Temperature range of 23.60c -33.70c and percentage RH 63-69. Eggs appeared on the surface of grains. Larva developed inside the grains; fed on the cotyledon and moulted into adults. The adults emerged out of the grains by making holes causing substantial damage and weight loss. The data obtained from the present work indicates severe damage of 61.34 % and 61.59 % grain content loss and weight loss of 50.26% and 49.8 % in both varieties of pulse grains. All of the damaged grains were not unviable from germination point of view. But a significant loss of germination was also recorded.