25. Relative performance of different concentrations of mint (Mentha longifolia L.) against Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in wheat

Abstract

The experiment on effectiveness of various concentrations of mint leaves Mentha longifolia L. was conducted at Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam. Mint powder was applied at 2.00%, 1.50%, 1.00% and 0.50% concentrations in 200 gm of wheat grains (variety TD-1) in plastic jars against Triboleum castaneum. The observations on efficacy of different concentrations as mortality of beetles was recorded after 24 hours, 48 hours and 7 days, whereas, population fluctuation was observed at monthly intervals for three months. Weight loss was also noted at the end of experiment. Although, no significant mortality of T. castaneum was recorded in any treatment, a rise in mortality was recorded after 48 hours of application as significantly higher mortality was observed in 2% mint concentration (4.33±0.33), followed by 1.5 % (2.67±0.33), 1 % (1.33±0.33) and 0.5 % (1.00±0.00. Overall at the end of week, the highest (66.70%) and lowest (26.70%) percentage mortality of T. castaneum was recorded in 2% and 0.50% mint concentrations, respectively. The population fluctuation of T. castaneum also showed that at the end of third month, control showed the highest population (45.67±2.91 beetles) of beetles, whereas, 2.00% mint concentration treatment exhibited lowest population of beetles (16.33±0.88). The maximum overall (50.33grams or 25.17%) and grain (63.00grams or 31.50%) weight loss was recorded in control, whereas, 2.00% mint concentration treatment exhibited overall (19.00 /9.50%) and grains (24.67 /12.33%) weight loss. Thus, it is suggested that 2.00% mint concentration should be included as protectant in store grains especially wheat against T. castaneum.

Keywords: Mint; Mortality; Population; Tribolium castenium; Wheat

http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90262