B.L. MEENA, K.L. JEENGAR AND M.C. BHARGAVA

Ten plant powders viz., dharak kernel and leaf (Melia azadirach), neem kernel and leaf (Azadirachta indica), karanj kernel (Pongamia glabra), aak leaf (Calotropis procera), datura leaf (Datura alba), citrus leaf (Citrus lemon), podina leaf (Mentha arvensis) and tulsi leaf (Ocinuun sanctum) @ 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 g per 100 g seeds were tested to evaluate the effect on fecundity, egg viability and longevity of adults of Corcyra cephalonica under laboratory conditions. All the doses of the test compounds were effective in reducing the fecundity. The maximum and minimum per cent reduction in fecundity was 58.53 and 20.91 for seeds treated with karanj kernel powder and tulsi leaf powder, respectively. The reduction in egg viability varied from 17.46 to 29.41 per cent and 13.78 to 35.17 per cent in different doses and treatments. The maximum reduction in egg viability was observed on seeds treated with dharak kernel powder (44.32%) at its highest dose of 5.0W 100 g seeds (w/w). The longevity of male and female adults decreased when treated food was given. Assessing the results of different plant powders, it was observed that dharak kernel powder and neem kernel powder were most effective in reducing the longevity of male and female adults. The kernel powders of neem, karanj and dharak were most effective, while tulsi leaf powder was least effective in reducing the fecundity, egg viability and longevity of adults. No adverse effect of tested plant powders was observed on the germination of sorghum seeds up to 150 days after treatment. The results suggest that these plant products have the potential to be used for post-harvest protection against C. cephalonica, one of the major pests of stored grains.