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

Abstract

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.