Evaluation of indigenous botanical treatments for enhancing storability of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) against storage pests

Abstract:

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is an important cereal crop cultivated widely in tropical and semi-arid regions and serves as a major source of food and fodder. However, considerable quantitative and qualitative losses occur during storage due to insect infestation. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different indigenous natural and plant products on the storability of sorghum grains under laboratory conditions. The experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Various botanical treatments, including red earth slurry, gingelly oil, Neem leaf paste, chilli powder, and botanical mixtures, were evaluated. Observations were recorded on seed damage, egg number, and adult survival at 20, 40, and 60 days of storage. The results revealed that the treatment consisting of mixing ash, sweet flag powder, sand, neem, nochi, and thulasi leaves (T₁₁) significantly reduced seed damage, oviposition, and adult insect population compared to other treatments and the untreated control. The lowest seed damage (11.66%), the minimum number of eggs laid (99.66), and the lowest adult population were recorded in T₁₁ during storage. The findings demonstrate that indigenous plant-based formulations offer a sustainable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternative to synthetic pesticides for protecting stored sorghum grains, with strong potential for adoption in smallholder farming systems.