Effect of indigenous natural and plant products on storability of redgram (Cajanus cajan) seeds

Abstract:

Redgram (Cajanus cajan) is an important pulse crop widely cultivated in India and serves as a major source of dietary protein. However, its storability is severely affected by insect pests, particularly bruchids, leading to significant quantitative and qualitative losses. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of indigenous natural and plant products on the storability of redgram seeds under laboratory conditions. The experiment consisted of twelve treatments, including combinations of red earth slurry, ash, neem leaf paste, sweet flag powder, and sand, arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications. Observations on seed damage, number of eggs laid, and adult emergence were recorded at 20, 40, and 60 days of storage. The results revealed that treatment T₆ (red earth slurry + neem leaf paste) was the most effective in reducing seed damage, egg laying, and adult emergence as compared to other treatments. Combination of treatments performed better than individual treatments due to their synergistic effects. The control recorded the highest level of infestation. The study concludes that indigenous practices, particularly neem-based combinations, are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and efficient alternatives for managing storage pests in redgram seeds.