BIOACTIVE NEEM LEAF POWDER ENHANCES THE SHELF LIFE OF STORED MUNGBEAN GRAINS AND EXTENDS PROTECTION FROM PULSE BEETLE

A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the protective efficiency of bioactive neem leaves powder (NLP) (Azadirachta indica) against pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis) in stored mungbean grain and prolonging effect on its shelf life. A two factorial completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications was used having four levels of NLP (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg per 100 g seeds) and four storage durations (40, 60, 80 and 100 days). Main effect of NLP and storage duration showed significant differences for number of eggs laid, total progeny, adult mortality, % grain damaged and % weight loss, whereas non-significant differences were observed for their interactions for mentioned parameters. NLP applied @ of 1.5mg/100g seeds decreased no. of eggs laid by 36%, total progeny by 38%, % grain damage by 46%, % weight loss by 53% and increased adult mortality by 62% over control. Generally with the increase in storage duration, no. of eggs laid, total progeny, adult mortality, % grain damaged and % weight loss increased and their values ranged from 101.20-120.69 for no. of eggs laid, 73.50-86.58 for total progeny, 11.71-53.49 for adult mortality, 13.55- 24.45 for % grain damaged and 14.27- 30.65 for % weight loss from 40-100 days of storage duration. These findings suggest that bioactive NLP has a strong detrimental effect on pulse beetle in mungbean, thus it can maintain the quality and may enhance shelf life of mungbean seeds. Therefore, neem leaf powder coating can be used for safe management of pulse beetle repulsion during post-harvest storage of grains/seeds in different crops as an alternative to synthetic chemicals application.