This study was conducted in 2005 and 2006 seasons at the Economic Entomology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafr El-Sheikh University to find materials that effectively protects stored produce that are readily available, affordable, relatively less poisonous and less detrimental to the environment.
Seeds of the four mungbean Vigna radiata Wilczek varieties (seeds), UTT, Giza-1, Kawmy-1, KPS2 were tested as hosts of bruchid beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F) in the laboratory under controlling conditions of 28 + 2 C and 65 + 5% R.H. The obtained results revealed that mungbean seeds Giza-1 variety were more sensitive to be attacked by C. maculatus than Kawmy-1, UTT and KPS2 varieties, the tested mungbean varieties had a significant effect on the developmental period and total individuals production per female, it was 28.7, 30.61, 35.11 and 37.26 days for developmental period and total individuals production per female 48.0, 42.3, 37.4 and 30.0 individuals for Giza-1, UTT, KPS2 and Kawmy-1, respectively.
Bioresidual activity of the five oils (cotton, castor, soybean, corn and apricot kernel) was evaluated against C. maculatus the major stored produce insects in relation to seeds viability under laboratory conditions at 28oC + 2 and 65% + 5 R.H.
When infested seeds were treated with oils, it was found that oils were effectively only in case of seeds having the earlier stages of eggs.
Significantly lower numbers of progeny were observed in all treatments when compared with control. There was high significant reduction in weight loss caused by C. maculatus in mungbean seeds in control when compared with oils at all levels in all treatments.
Generally, it could be stated that oils used gave moderately protection to the mungbean seeds at 6 months after-treatment.
Seed weight losses and seed infestations were positively correlated with the number of progeny at all times of study.
Germination of mungbean seed was significantly decreased by all tested oils in the initial and at the end of storage period, oils with various concentrations had significant effect on germination speed and mean germination time indices. Generally, increasing oil concentration delayed seed germination and increased the time required for complete seed germination.
Radical and shoot length and seedling dry weight of tested seeds was significantly varied among protectants on the different applied concentrations of tested oils.
So, it could be stated that the applied rates of the used protectants, plant oils could be recommended especially if these seeds would be used also for human. However, it is suggested to resume more tests on the safe recommended dose of the used materials to get healthy seeds and apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernels could be used as a source of oils as protectants against C. maculatus.