Neem formulations – safer seed protectants against pulse beetle, callosobruchus chinensis for long term storage of Bengalgram.

The efficacy of neem products like neem oil and commercially available neem formulations viz., Econeem plus®, Neemindia ® and Neemazal ® were evaluated in the laboratory for the control of pulse beetle, C. chinensis in stored bengalgram. These were compared with deltamethrin treatment as a chemical check. The bengalgram seed was treated with the neem formulations and stored under ambient conditions for storability studies. Observations on oviposition, insect damage, germination and seedling vigor index were recorded at three months interval. All the neem formulations were found to be effective against C. chinensis in stored bengalgram up to 12 months of storage. Surprisingly, deltamethrin treatment recorded highest oviposition of pulse beetle and insect damage resulted in poor germination and vigour of stored bengalgram seed. This gives an indication of resistance development in C. chinensis against commonly used synthetic pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin in bengalgram. Crude neem oil @ 5 ml/ kg seed affected badly the germinability and seedling vigour of bengalgram seed under storage. The results indicated that the neem formulations viz., Neemazal, Econeem plus and Neemindia were found to be very effective against C. chinensis in stored bengalgram and also maintained high viability and vigour of seed up to twelve months of storage. Our results suggest that these neem formulations can be used as safer alternatives to chemicals for long term storage of pulses.

Honey Bees–Potential pollinators in hybrid seed production of sunflower.

A study was conducted to find out the role of honeybees on pollination, seed setting and seed quality of hybrid sunflower. The foraging behavior of natural bee visitants was studied on the parental lines of sunflower hybrid NDSH1 during the flowering period. Most predominant bees observed are Rock bees, Apis dorsata, European bee, Apis mellifera, Indian bee, Apis cerana indica and Stingless bees, Trigona irridipenis. Bee visitants are more on R line compared to A line. The seed setting percentage and seed yield were significantly increased when the honeybees were supplemented to the open pollination. The yields were drastically reduced when the crop was covered with insect proof net. In addition, increased seedling vigour, germination%, field emergence, oil content and quality of seed was observed with the deployment of honey bees coupled with supplemental hand pollination.