Abstract
The research works on integrated management of pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis (L.)
using botanicals and parasitoid on chickpea seeds were carried out at the Entomology Laboratory,
Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during February 2008 to October 2010. The
relative efficacy of 21 indigenous leaf and seed powders as grain protectant was evaluated and
found that tobacco leaf powder (TLP) exhibited promising results in protecting chickpea seeds
against the attack of C. chinensis. TLP at 20.0 g/kg seeds reduced 82.22% of oviposition and
inhibited cent percent adult emergence, seed infestation and weight loss done by C. chinensis. The
grain protectant efficacy of 18 edible and non-edible oils was tested and found that oils of neeт,
castor, karanja and sesame at 4.0 to 8.0 ml/kg and mustard oil merely at 8.0 ml/kg seeds revealed
significant reduction of oviposition and completely inhibit adult emergence, seed infestation and
weight loss done by C. chinensis. The efficacy of 12 indigenous plants extract with five different
solvents like acetone, ethanol, n-hexane, petroleum ether and distilled water was evaluated and
found that none of them provided complete protection but only acetone extract of neem seed
provided the better protection of chickpea seeds from the attack of C. chinensis. The botanicals
TLP, oils of neem, castor, karanja, sesame and mustard as well as acetone extract of neem seed did
not show any adverse effect on the germination of chickpea seeds. Only one parasitoid, Dinarmus
basalis Rondani of C. chinensis was identified and its biology, reproductive potential and biopotentiality were conducted. The mean fecundity of D. basalis was 215.3±5.20 during the
oviposition period of 22.45±0.71 days while incubation period was 24.2±0.08 hours. The larva was
hymenopteriform and passed through three distinct instars and the developmental time of male
266.8±3.66 hours while in female 294.4±2.97 hours. The parasitoid completed life cycle within
652.0±8.35 and 806.8±6.16 hours for male and female, respectively. The sex ratio of the parasitoid
was strongly female biased. The influences of food on the reproductive potential of D. basalis
were investigated and found that the maximum longevity (male 19.3±0.68 days, female 27.9±0.81
days) and fecundity (273.9±0.66) were associated with 10% honey solution but minimum
longevity (male 14.4±0.80 days, female 19.7±0.57 days) and fecundity (194.3±0.60) when fed
with distilled water. The parasitoid preferred the fourth instar larva for parasitization followed by
pre-pupa and third instar larva for their development whereas no parasitization was found on first
and second instar larvae. The parasitism ranged from 88.46±0.64 to 99.25±0.26% when 25 pair of
parasitoids were introduced whereas 62.83±1.35 to 77.05±0.98% at 5 pairs of introduction. The
suppression of C. chinensis was 74.11±0.72 to 82.86±0.76% at 5 pair and 92.37±0.32 to
99.21±0.12% at 25 pair of parasitoids. An attempt was also made to develop an IPM approach
with the combination of the botanicals and the parasitoid, D. basalis and found that treatments T2
(Neem oil at 1.0 ml/kg+5 pair D. basalis) and T (TLP at 5.0 g/kg+5 pair D. basalis) provided the
maximum protection of chickpea seeds from the attack of C. chinensis. It is concluded that TLP,
oils of neem, castor, karanja, sesame and mustard, and D. basalis individually as well as TLP and
neem oil in combination with D. basalis may be used for the effective management of C. chinensis
in storage.