Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 12 No. sp1 (2025): Recent Advances in Agriculture by Young Minds - II

Management of the maize weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.) using turmeric (Curcuma longa) essential oil

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.10135
Submitted
19 June 2025
Published
20-08-2025 — Updated on 16-09-2025
Versions

Abstract

Among the various insect pests infesting stored maize, the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is one of the most destructive pests, capable of causing 100 % infestation and significant qualitative losses. Essential oils (EOs) from botanicals are considered eco-friendly as they show promise against several stored product pests including S. oryzae without leaving any non-toxic residues in the final product. This study aims to evaluate the potential insecticidal effects of essential oil of turmeric, Curcuma longa against S. oryzae under laboratory conditions. A maximum adult mortality of 90.0 % was recorded in fumigant toxicity tests at 65 μL/96 cm³ after 5 days of exposure. Under contact toxicity conditions, 99.13 % mortality was observed at 70 μL after 5 days. Fumigant and contact toxicity tests revealed an LC50 of 60.39 μL and 65.61 μL, respectively, against adults of S. oryzae. At the same concentration (70 μL),
turmeric EO observed complete reduction of oviposition and adult emergence. These findings indicate that turmeric EO possesses strong insecticidal properties and could serve as an effective and environmentally safe alternative to synthetic fumigants for the management of S. oryzae in stored maize grains.

References

  1. 1. IIMR. India maize scenario. IIMR Annual Report. 2021. Available from: https://iimr.icar.gov.in/publications-category/annual-reports/
  2. 2. Gong F, Yang L, Tai F, Hu X, Wang W. "Omics" of maize stress response for sustainable food production: Opportunities and challenges. OMICS. 2014;18(12):714-32. https://doi.org/10.1089/omi.2014.0125
  3. 3. Tefera T, Mugo S, Tende R, Likhayo P. Methods of screening maize for resistance to stem borers and post-harvest insect pests. Nairobi (Kenya): International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT); 2011.
  4. 4. Alam MJ, Ahmed KS, Hossen B, Mozammel H, Hoque AB. Storage pests of maize and their status in Bangladesh. J Biosci Agric Res. 2019;20(2):1724–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.18801/jbar.200219.210
  5. 5. Kumar D, Kalita P. Reducing postharvest losses during storage of grain crops to strengthen food security in developing countries. Foods. 2017;6(1):8. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods6010008
  6. 6. Getu E. Studies on the distribution and control of Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Sidamo Administrative Region. 2010; Sher-e-Bangla University of Agricultural Sciences, Dhaka, Bangladesh. PhD Dissertation. http://dx.doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v13i2.321-326.7143
  7. 7. Demissie G, Tefera T, Tadesse A. Importance of husk covering on field infestation of maize by Sitophilus zeamais Motsch (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) at Bako, Western Ethiopia. Afr J Biotechnol. 2008;7(20):3773–79. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB08.669
  8. 8. Kim SI, Lee DW. Toxicity of basil and orange essential oils and their components against two coleopteran stored product insect pests. J Asia Pac Entomol. 2014;17(1):13–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2013.09.002
  9. 9. Lakshmi Soujanya P, Sekhar JC, Karjagi CG, Vidhyadhari V, Suby SB, Sunil N, et al. Impact of harvesting time on field carryover infestation of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in different maize genotypes. Phytoparasitica. 2017;45:485–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-017-0606-x
  10. 10. Kimani AW. Utilization of lighted candle and sealing methods in metal silos for management of the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in stored maize [dissertation]. Nairobi (Kenya): University of Nairobi. 2016.
  11. 11. Bryden WL. Mycotoxin contamination of the feed supply chain: Implications for animal productivity and feed security. Anim Feed Sci Technol. 2012;173(1–2):134–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2011.12.014
  12. 12. Dobie P. The use of resistant varieties. Trop Stored Prod Inf. 1984;48:4–8. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400010559
  13. 13. Haines CP. Insects and arachnids of tropical stored products: Their biology and identification (A training manual). Chatham (UK): Natural Resources Institute; 1991. p. 209–13.
  14. 14. Cherry R, Nagata R. Development of resistance in southern chinch bugs (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) to the insecticide bifenthrin. Fla Entomol. 2005;88(2):219–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1653/0015-4040(2005)088[0219:DORISC]2.0.CO;2
  15. 15. Yuan Y, Chen C, Zheng C, Wang X, Yang G, Wang Q, et al. Residue of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin in vegetables and probabilistic exposure assessment for consumers in Zhejiang Province, China. Food Control. 2014;36(1):63–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2013.08.008
  16. 16. Meyer-Baron M, Knapp G, Schäper M, van Thriel C. Meta-analysis on occupational exposure to pesticides – Neurobehavioral impact and dose–response relationships. Environ Res. 2015;136:234–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2014.09.030
  17. 17. Mishra A, Dubey N. Evaluation of some essential oils for their toxicity against fungi causing deterioration of stored food commodities. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1994;60(4):1101–105. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.60.4.1101-1105.1994
  18. 18. Bhosle D, Srinivasan T, Elaiyabharathi T, Shanmugam PS, Vellaikumar S. A review on use of botanical extracts for the management of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) [Noctuidae: Lepidoptera]. J Plant Dis Prot. 2025;132(1):1–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-024-01042-5
  19. 19. Nawrot J, Harmatha J. Natural products as antifeedants against stored products insects. Postharvest News Inf. 1994;5(2):17–21.
  20. 20. Isman MB. Botanical insecticides, deterrents, and repellents in modern agriculture and an increasingly regulated world. Annu Rev Entomol. 2006;51:45–66. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ento.51.110104.151146
  21. 21. Kumar A, Shukla R, Singh P, Prasad CS, Dubey NK. Assessment of Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil as safe botanical preservative against postharvest fungal infestation of food commodities. Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol. 2008;9(4):575–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2007.12.005
  22. 22. Rajkumar V, Gunasekaran C, Christy IK, Dharmaraj J, Chinnaraj P, Paul CA. Toxicity, antifeedant and biochemical efficacy of Mentha piperita L. essential oil and its major constituents against stored grain pest. Pestic Biochem Physiol. 2019;156:138–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pestbp.2019.02.016
  23. 23. Nishimura H. Aroma constituents in plants and their repellent activities against mosquitoes. Aroma Res. 2001;2:257–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.26438/ijsrbs/v6i4.6888
  24. 24. Huang Y, Chen SX, Ho SH. Bioactivities of methyl allyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide from essential oil of garlic to two species of stored-product pests, Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). J Econ Entomol. 2000;93(2):537–43. https://doi.org/10.1603/0022-0493-93.2.537
  25. 25. Enan EE. Molecular and pharmacological analysis of an octopamine receptor from American cockroach and fruit fly in response to plant essential oils. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol. 2005;59(3):161–71. https://doi.org/10.1002/arch.20076
  26. 26. Bakkali F, Averbeck S, Averbeck D, Idaomar M. Biological effects of essential oils – A review. Food Chem Toxicol. 2008;46(2):446–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2007.09.106
  27. 27. Zohry NM, Ali SA, Ibrahim AA. Toxicity of ten native edible and essential plant oils against the granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Egypt Acad J Biol Sci F Toxicol Pest Control. 2020;12(2):219–27. http://dx.doi.org/10.21608/eajbsf.2020.124238
  28. 28. Ali S, Sagheer M, Hassan M, Abbas M, Hafeez F, Farooq M, et al. Insecticidal activity of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and garlic (Allium sativum) extracts against red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum: A safe alternative to insecticides in stored commodities. J Entomol Zool Stud. 2014;2(3):201–205.
  29. 29. Chander H, Ahuja DK, Nagender A, Berry SK. Repellency of different plant extracts and commercial formulations used as prophylactic sprays to protect bagged grain against Tribolium castaneum. J Food Sci Technol. 2000;37:582–85. https://doi.org/10.52711/0974-360X.2023.00334
  30. 30. Parveen N, Mondal K. Behavioral response of Tribolium castaneum Herbst to turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder. J Zool Rajasthan Univ. 1992;41:10–11.
  31. 31. Jilani G, Saxena RC. Repellent and feeding deterrent effect of turmeric oil, sweet flag oil, neem oil and neem-based insecticide against lesser grain borer (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae). J Econ Entomol. 1990;83:629–34. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/83.2.629
  32. 32. Iqbal J, Jilani G, Aslam M. Growth inhibiting effects of plant extracts against the grain moth, Sitotrogacerealella (Oliv.) (Gelechiidae: Lepidoptera). Pak J Zool. 2010;42:597–601.
  33. 33. Singkhornart S, Laohakunjit N, Kerdchoechuen O, Sirisoontaralak P. Comparison of the efficiency of essential oils from 5 species to control maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais). Agric Sci J. 2007;38:295–98.
  34. 34. Stoll G. Natural crop protection in the tropics. Filderstadt (Germany): Margraf Verlag; 2000.
  35. 35. Tripathi AK, Prajapati V, Verma N, Bahl JR, Bansal RP, Khanuja SPS, et al. Bioactivities of the leaf essential oil of Curcuma longa (Var. Ch-66) on three species of stored-product beetles (Coleoptera). J Econ Entomol. 2002;95:183–89. https://doi.org/10.1603/0022-0493-95.1.183
  36. 36. Gangwar P, Tiwari SN. Insecticidal activity of Curcuma longa essential oil and its fractions against Sitophilus oryzae L. and Rhyzoperthadominica F. (Coleoptera). Int J Pure Appl Biosci. 2017;5:912–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.crbiot.2021.07.004
  37. 37. Saxena B, Sayyed RZ. Botanical insecticides effectively control chickpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus. Environ Sustain. 2018;1:295–301. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s42398-018-00029-x
  38. 38. Fouad HA, Abdelmeged HB, Salman AMA. Insecticidal activity of six botanical powders against the cowpea seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). J Plant Prot Pathol. 2020;11(4):237–40. https://dx.doi.org/10.21608/jppp.2020.96011
  39. 39. Ranjeet K, Pandey PS, Tiwari SN. Efficacy of essential oils against Sitophilus oryzae and Rhyzoperthadominica in stored wheat. Indian J Entomol. 2016;82:261–64. http://dx.doi.org/10.5958/0974-8172.2020.00060.7
  40. 40. Kumar R, Tiwari SN, Pandey PS. Fumigant toxicity of essential oils and their combinations on population buildup of three stored-product Coleoptera in stored wheat and effect on quality of wheat. Proc Int Work Conf Stored Prod Prot (IWCSPP). 2018; p. 7–11. https://doi.org/10.5073/jka.2018.463.145
  41. 41. Joshi R, Tiwari SN. Fumigant toxicity and repellent activity of some essential oils against stored grain pest Rhyzoperthadominica (Fabricius). J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2019;8:59–62.
  42. 42. Devi SR, Thomas A, Rebijith K, Ramamurthy V. Biology, morphology and molecular characterization of Sitophilus oryzae and S. zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J Stored Prod Res. 2017;73:135–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2017.08.004
  43. 43. Singh G, Chaudhary K, Rana R. Efficacy of plant derived essential oils against Sitophilus oryzae (L.) in stored wheat grains. J Plant Dev Sci. 2018;10(11):633–36.
  44. 44. El-Salam A, Ahmed M. Fumigant toxicity of seven essential oils against the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.). Egypt Acad J Biol Sci F Toxicol Pest Control. 2010;2(1):1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.21608/eajbsf.2010.17455
  45. 45. Omar A, Zayed M. Bioactivity impact of essential oils Allium sativum L. and Citrus reticulata L. against stored product insects Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Rhyzoperthadominica (F.). J Plant Prot Pathol. 2021;12(7):465–71. https://dx.doi.org/10.21608/jppp.2021.188633
  46. 46. Tapondjou A, Adler C, Fontem D, Bouda H, Reichmuth C. Bioactivities of cymol and essential oils of Cupressus sempervirens and Eucalyptus saligna against Sitophilus zeamaisMotschulsky and Tribolium confusum du Val. J Stored Prod Res. 2005;41(1):91–102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2004.01.004
  47. 47. Abbott WS. A method of computing the effectiveness of an insecticide. J Econ Entomol. 1925;18(2):265–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jee/18.2.265a
  48. 48. Fornal J, Jeliński T, Sadowska J, Grundas S, Nawrot J, Niewiada A, et al. Detection of granary weevil Sitophilus granarius (L.) eggs and internal stages in wheat grain using soft X-ray and image analysis. J Stored Prod Res. 2007;43(2):142–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2006.02.003
  49. 49. Sulhath TA, Visakh NU, Pathrose B, George SB. Investigating the insecticidal properties of essential oils extracted from wild turmeric (Curcuma aromaticaSalisb) leaves waste against three key stored product pests. Sustain Chem Pharm. 2024;38:101482. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scp.2024.101482
  50. 50. Ziaee M. The effects of topical application of two essential oils against Sitophilus granarius (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). J Crop Prot. 2014;3(5):589–95.
  51. 51. Ryan J. Plant–insect coevolution and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. J Chem Ecol. 1988;14:1965–75. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01013489

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.