Benefit Cost Ratio of Improved Storage Practices in Dolichos Bean (Lablab purpureus L. var typicus Prain) for Control of Bruchids

Abstract

The experiment was conducted by Factorial CRD with two factors: Four types of storage bags (Factor A) i.e jute bag, polythene bag, triple layered PICS bag an improved storage bag and jute bag treated with chloropyriphos and three periods of storage (Factor B) i.e 2, 4 and 6 months storage. Each treatment contains dried healthy dolichos bean seed with 10% of artificial infestation of bruchid Callosobruchus theobromae (Linnaeus, 1767). The treatments used were T1: Jute bag + 2 months storage; T2: Jute bag + 4 months storage; T3: Jute bag + 6 months storage; T4: Polythene bag + 2 months storage; T5: Polythene bag + 4 months storage; T6: Polythene bag + 6 months storage; T7: Triple layer PICS bag + 2 months storage; T8: Triple layer PICS bag + 4 months storage; T9: Triple layer PICS bag + 6 months storage; T10: Jute bag treated with insecticide + 2 months storage; T11: Jute bag treated with insecticide + 4 months storage and T12: Jute bag treated with insecticide + 6 months storage. The benefit cost ratio calculated for all the treatments showed that triple layer PICS bag an improved storage technology (1.27) at storage period of 6 months has highest benefit cost ratio followed by triple layer PICS bag (1.06) at storage period of 4 months and triple layer PICS bag at storage period of 2 months. Even the initial bag cost in case of triple layer PICS bag is high the produce stored in triple layer PICS bag, an improved storage bag is superior in quality and with least damage because of bruchid fetches premium price in the market. From the present investigation it is concluded that the chemical free triple layer PICS bag an improved storage technology can be efficiently used for long term storage of produce and the bags can be used many times over seasons.