Biopesticidal effect of leaves and seeds of Cassia tora on stored grain pests

Major damage of stored grains is caused by insect pests. Present study has been undertaken to investigate the insecticidal effect of Cassia tora leaves and seeds on stored grain pests. Three insect pests viz. Sitophilus oryzae, Sitophilus zeamais and Tribolium castaneum were divided into four groups consisting of 50 insects in each group. Group I, Group II, and Group III were treated with 0.5gm, 1gm, and 1.5gm leaves and seeds powder. Group IV served as vehicle control. The exposure was given to each group for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hrs. The highest percent mortality of Sitophilus oryzae, Sitophilus zeamais and Tribolium castaneum was 12.33%, 11.33% and 14.33% with leaves powder and 16.33%, 15.66% and 19.67% with seed powder respectively at 1.5 gm dose after 96 hours. The seed powder was more effective than leaves powder. The results also indicates that the effect was dose and duration dependent.