The Efficacy of natural plant extracts in controlling rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae)
Raksha Kumari, Harshlata, Dr. Neetu Sharma, Banita Dhatwalia and Vijay Bharti
Rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae) is one of the significant pests & has caused serious damage in rice storage. The use of synthetic pesticides to control them has had negative effect on environment, animal & human. In order to this issue, natural plant extract based pest control alternative were analysis. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of natural plant extract; Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) & Eucalyptus leaves (Eucalyptus globules) & mixture of neem leaves powder & eucalyptus oil in tablet form in controlling rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae). The experimental treatment consist of control (T0) where no plant extract applied, (T1) Neem leaves, (T2) Eucalyptus leaves & (T3) combination of neem leaves powder & eucalyptus oil in tablet form. Each treatment was regulate with 20g dose to 100g of rice, that had 20 weevil added & mortality was assessed after 6,12,18, 24, 30, 36 days. The result showed that (T3) mixture of neem leaves powder & eucalyptus oil in tablet form was found to more effective overall than the other treatment (86.50%) mortality at 36 days after treatment. When compared to other treatment, followed by (T1) Neem leaves (78.72%) mortality whereas (T2) Eucalyptus leaves were found less effective (66.30%) mortality. So natural plants extract treatment (T3) was found highly effective in controlling rice weevil & reduction in grain damage over than the other treatment. The order of effectiveness of botanicals is ranked as Mixture of neem powder & eucalyptus oil in tablet form>Neem leaves>Eucalyptus leaves respectively. Finally, it was concluded that natural plant extract could be used for protection of stored rice & serve as alternative method to synthetic insecticides in controlling Sitophilus oryzae infesting rice.