Efficacy of Cinnamon and Citronella Oil Vapours in the Control of Callosobruchus chinensis L. in Bulk Stored Green Gram

Efficacy of Cinnamon bark oil vapour (Cinnamomam verum Presl.) and Citronella oil vapour (Cymbopogon nardus L.) were evaluated for the control of infestations of Callosobruchus chinensis L in bulk stored green gram. Both oils were used at 5ml and 10ml/5kg of seeds in 3L plastic baskets. Oviposition and damaged seeds were detected for up to two months of period. At the end of the storage period, the effect of the treatments on flavour, consumer acceptability and seed germination were evaluated. Both oils inhibited population growth of C. chinensis as compared to untreated seeds. Both oil vapours at 5 and 10ml/5kg were protected green grams from infestation by C. chinensis for 2 months period. But Cinnamon bark oil vapour was more effective than Citronella oil vapour in both concentrations used. No harmful effect was observed on the germination of oil vapour treated seeds. The oil vapour treatments conferred offflavours to the green grams and product acceptability was compromised by treatment with Cinnamon bark oil vapour at 5ml/5kg. Journal of Food and Agriculture 2010 Vol. 03, No. 1 & 2, Page 1-6 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jfa.v3i1-2.5164