Screening of Wheat Varieties against Rice Weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.) and Evaluation of Eco-friendly Management Approaches

Abstract

At the Department of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology (CSAUA&T), Kanpur, a laboratory experiment was conducted to screen 20 wheat varieties and evaluate eco-friendly management strategies against the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L. Most wheat varieties tested were found susceptible to S. oryzae, with grain hardness showing a negative correlation with pest infestation. Among the varieties, HD-2733 and K-1502 were identified as moderately resistant, characterized by higher grain hardness, lower moisture content, fewer eggs laid, reduced progeny development, extended developmental periods, and significantly lower grain weight loss (14.8% and 16.2%, respectively) compared to susceptible varieties. Fecundity and progeny production were positively correlated with the percentage of weight loss and grain damage. For eco-friendly management, powders of castor leaf, dhatura leaf, neem seed kernel, and custard apple seed applied at 20 g/kg seed were effective, resulting in weight losses of only 5.00%, 5.75%, 8.25%, and 8.75%, respectively, compared to 16.75% in the untreated control. In contrast, tulsi leaf, sweet flag leaf, and mentha leaf powders were less effective, with weight losses of 12.25%, 12.25%, and 13.75%, respectively.