COMPARATIVE TOXICOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL EVALUATION OF SELECTED BOTANICAL POWDERS AGAINST SITOPHILUS ORYZAE FOR SUSTAINABLE STORED GRAIN PROTECTION
Keywords:
Botanical insecticides, stored grain pests, LC₅₀, repellency index, grain protection, Sitophilus oryzae, Integrated pest management.,,Abstract
Global food security is seriously threatened by post-harvest losses brought on by insect pests,
especially in stored grain ecosystems. One of the most damaging pests that causes significant
losses in both quantity and quality is the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae. In this study, four
botanical powders Azadirachta indica, Ageratum conyzoides, Melia azedarach and Ocimum
sanctum were compared for their toxicological, behavioral and grain-protective effects against
adult S. oryzae. Five concentration levels (1–5% w/w) were used in the completely randomized
design experiment. Grain protection efficiency, repellency index, LC50 values (probit analysis)
and mortality % were among the important metrics evaluated. The findings showed that all
treatments clearly increased mortality in a dose-dependent manner. Because of its volatile
bioactive chemicals. Ocimum sanctum showed the strongest repellency. Ageratum conyzoides
showed the highest toxicity (LC⋅₀ = 1.8%) and maximum grain protection efficacy (82.2%).
Azadirachta indica was a dependable standard with steady moderate to high efficacy Melia
azedarach demonstrated balanced performance. Many phytochemicals that disrupt insect
physiological and behavioral processes, such as precocenes, azadirachtin, meliatoxins and
essential oils, are responsible for the reported effects. The results demonstrate the potential of
botanical powders as multi-target, biodegradable and environmentally acceptable substitutes
for synthetic insecticides. Such plant-based formulations can improve sustainable grain storage
while reducing dangers to the environment and human health when incorporated into integrated
pest management (IPM) programs.
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