Abstract

                                Experiments were conducted in private paddy seed processing units to study the efficacy of different botanicals against rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) in stored paddy seeds. Rhizome powder of Acorus calamus (sweet flag), Rhizome powder of Curcuma longa (L.) (turmeric), leaf powder of Azadirachta indica (L.) (neem), leaf powder of Vitex negundo (L.) (notchi) and husk ash of Oryza sativa (paddy) were used as treatments for this experiment. The results showed that neem leaf powder and notchi leaf powder caused about 90 per cent mortality of weevils and the further multiplication of weevils was arrested. The storability was found to be better in rice husk ash treated seeds. The seeds treated with sweet flag rhizome powder and rice husk ash recorded more than 80% germination in 150 days after seed treatment. Whereas, sweet flag rhizome powder and turmeric rhizome powder treatment, only 50% mortality of the pest was observed.

Key words : Botanicals, Rice weevil, Neem powder, Notchi powder, Mortality of weevils, Storability of seeds.