The potential of plants and plant products in stored insect pest management

Abstract

In most of the tropical countries including Sri Lanka beetles attack store seeds and is a major cause of serious post harvest losses. In order to protect the stored product from insects not only pesticides but a formulation of plants and their products as powders, volatile oils, non volatile oils and extracts could be effectively used. An overview of available literature on use of plant products against the storage beetles in tropical regions is presented in order to highlight the importance, safe use, and effective control. Seed beetles cause an important part of the total insect damage to seed crops. The potential efficacy of a plant product can depend on the plant species, the plant part, and the time and way of harvesting. The mere fact that the natural products are used, implies that considerable variation is to be expected. Many of the tested plants do show effects against the seed beetles. The most effective plants or methods of application are not known, but results are promising and plant material can be an effective weapon in the battle against the beetles. Plants can be an effective replacement for chemical insecticides to protect stored seeds

Toxicity of lemon grass Cymbopogon citratus powder and methanol extract against rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…The results of the present study confirm the efficacy C. citratus powder and methanol extract on adult mortality of S. oryzae at different concentrations for powder, different concentrations for extract and at different time of exposure for powder and extract. These findings reaffirm the reported potential of plants and plant products in stored insect pest management [16].…”

Potential of <em>Olax zeylanica</em> leaves in the suppression of <em>Sitophilus oryzae</em> L. infestations

“…Many plants have been tested in the laboratory as powders to estimate their possible anti-insect effects. The Modes of action of these powders vary, but with low to moderate dosages, the effect is always repellent or toxic, never mechanical (Rajapakse, 2006).…”

“…Numerous plant species and their extracts possess significant capability in affecting insects through repellency, contact toxicity or fumigation (Dev and Koul, 1997;Shaaya et al, 1997;Hou and Taylor, 2006). The use of plant products as insecticides could be broadly classified under (a) powders or fresh application, (b) volatile oils, (c) non-volatile oils, and (d) extracts in application technology (Rajapakse, 2006).…”

Synergetic effects of two botanical entomocides as pest-protectants in maize grains

“…The use of botanical pesticides to protect plants from pests is very promising because of several distinct advantages such as plant materials are more readily biodegradable, environmental friendly and less toxic to mammals. 9,10 Higher plants are a rich source of novel insecticides. 11 Plant materials with insecticidal properties have been used traditionally for generations throughout the world.…”