Utilization of Indigenous Botanicals in Storage Pest Management

Food grains play an important role in Indian economy, as nearly 26 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) is obtained from agriculture. Farmers retain about 60-70 per cent of their produces for seed purpose, home consumption and for sale,nearly 15 per cent of grains stored after each harvest was lost due to ravages by rats, insects, mites, other microbial agents and spillage.The most common method of store pest control followed at present is the application of Malathion, fumigation with EDB, EDCT or other volatile substances. Though, these chemicals after efficient protection against pests cause certain undesirable side effects like residual toxicity, application hazards, environmental pollution, etc. Consumers are afraid to use such food grains of this kind with toxic effects and residual chemicals. In this context use of indigenous botanicals, having efficient insecticidal properties is followed by age old Indian farmers, most of which exist today as indigenous practices are being realized as safe tool in the store pest management.