Influence of gamma radiation on oviposition and egg viability of Callosobruchus maculatus F. and grain loss in mungbean storage

Influence of gamma radiation on reproductive potential of Callosobruchus maculatus F. was studied by exposing them to 10, 30 and 50 Gy of radiation. Radiation at pupal stage was more effective in arresting egg laying and its further development. The dose of 50 Gy induced complete infertility in males when they were irradiated at pupal stage and only partial infertility was induced when irradiated at adult stage. In case of females whether irradiated at pupal or adult stage the dose of 50 Gy was sufficient to induce complete infertility. In order to assess the requirement of radiation doses for preventing the insect multiplication and subsequent damage in storage, mungbean samples with various developmental stages of insect were exposed to radiation at 50, 100 and 150 Gy. After three months of storage no grain damage was noticed when grains infested with different insect stages were irradiated with the dose of 100 or 150 Gy. (author)