STUDIES ON THE GRAIN PROTECTION CAPABILITY OF A. MERMELOS LEAVES AGAINST THE INFESTATION OF RICE WEEVIL, S. ORYZAE ON TWO COMMONLY USED CULTIVARS OF STORED WHEAT GRAINS

Abstract

Many plant species have the potential to be used as therapeutic and medicinal agents. Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. (Rutaceae) is an example of a plant with numerous medicinal characteristics. Diarrhoea, dysentery, diabetes, cancer, leucoderma, asthama, constipation, peptic ulcer, and other ailments have all been treated with this herb in traditional medicine. The purpose of this study is to investigate the capacity of A. mermelos leaves to protect stored wheat from infestation by the rice weevil, S. oryzae. Toxicity of insect-resistant plants, percent grain damage, and percent weight loss were all measured in triplicates with four distinct concentrations. 0.3g, 0.6g, 1.2g and 1.8g/50g of wheat respectively. At lower concentration, the leaf powders do not showed any significant effect. At higher conc. i.e. 1.2g onwards, the leaf powder showed its effect with 100% mortality of S.oryzae, no grain damage and weight loss as compared to the control samples of wheat grain without test leaves.