Neem formulations - safer seed protectants for long term storage of red gram against Callosobruchus chinensis

The efficacy of indigenous neem products like neem seed kernel powder, neem cake, neem leaf powder, neem oil and commercially available neem formulations viz., Econeem plus, Neemindia and Neemazal were evaluated in the laboratory for the control of pulse beetle, C. chinensis in stored redgram. These were compared with deltamethrin treatment as a chemical check. The red gram seed was treated with the neem formulations and stored under ambient conditions for storability studies. Observations on oviposition, insect damage, germination and seedling vigor index were recorded at three months interval. All the three commercially available neem formulations viz., Neemazal, Econeem plus, Neem india recorded less insect damage on par with neem oil and deltamethrin but found significantly superior to other neem products and untreated control during three months of storage. Econeem plus proved to be superior over other neem formulations with lowest insect damage on par with Neemindia and deltamethrin compared to high insect damage recorded with untreated control at six months of storage.