Effect of Solarization against Bruchid Infestation and Seed Quality in Greengram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) During Storage

Abstract

Among the storage insect pests the Pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis is  predominant storage pest of  green gram which infests during pre and post-harvest stages. The ovipositional potential, adult emergence, seed damage decreased at above 35ºC. After exposing to solar heat, it is better to store the seeds in moisture vapour proof containers like polythene bags having 700 gauge to maintain the quality of seeds during storage. To know the effect of solarization cum  packaging in a clear polyethylene (700 gauge) packets on the storability of seeds and bruchid management in greengram. A laboratory study was conducted during June 2018 to April 2019 at the Seed Research and Technology Centre, PJTSAU. The experiment was conducted with eight treatments with three replications. The data on seed germination percentage, seed moisture content, adult emergence and insect infestation were recorded at every three months upto nine months of storage and statistically analyzed by using completely randomized block design (CRD). Solarization of fresh seeds  in clear polyethylene (700 gauge) packet for 4 h for 6 days was  able to maintain per cent  insect infestation (0.49%) below permissible limit and maintained germination percentage (90.67) >IMSCS upto six months of storage as compared with 4.22 per cent seed damage and 83.33  per cent germination in untreated control (Fresh seeds).   Seeds packed in a clear polyethylene (700 gauge) packet serves as a moisture vapour proof containers and able to reduce moisture by 22.16 per cent over the untreated control.