Solar heating of seeds - a low cost method to control bruchid (Callosobruchus spp.) attack during storage of pigeonpea

Chauhan, Y S and Ghaffar, M A (2002) Solar heating of seeds - a low cost method to control bruchid (Callosobruchus spp.) attack during storage of pigeonpea. Journal of Stored Products Research, 38 (1). pp. 87-91.

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Abstract

Bruchids (Callosobruchus spp.) are major storage pests of legume crops grown in the tropics and sub-tropics including pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) and cause considerable economic losses. Solar heating of seeds in transparent polyethylene bags was found to effectively control bruchid damage in seeds of a medium-duration pigeonpea cultivar (ICPL 87119) during prolonged storage. During a week of observation, solar heating raised the temperature in seed bags to 658C each day. Solar heat-treated seeds remained free from bruchid damage even after 41 weeks of storage. No reduction in seed germination was observed in the solar-heated seeds. The control treatment had up to 91% of bruchid damaged seeds and their germination was reduced to 42%. Farmers in semi-arid tropical and humid tropical regions may consider using solar heating as a safe and relatively inexpensive method for disinfesting seeds of pigeonpea.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	Mandate crops > Pigeonpea
Depositing User:	Library ICRISAT
Date Deposited:	21 Sep 2011 09:17
Last Modified:	21 Sep 2011 09:17
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/1552
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0022-474X(01)00005-4
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	UNSPECIFIED
Links:	Author

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