Application of Biodegradable Pesticides in India
281
effective use in other commodities under varying conditions and in countering
the problem of hazardous residues, if any exist.
While chemical control of storage pests is being actively practiced for the
safe storage of grains in India, biological methods of control using insects and
microbes (Bacillus thuringiensis) are mostly of theoretical interest at this time.
Some records have been made of the occurrence of chalcid and other parasites
on different species of grain pests (Mookherjee, 1964).
The properties of common fumigants used in India have been described by
a number of workers (Dhaliwal and Rattan Lal, 1973). Effects of temperature
during prefumigation, fumigation, and postfumigation periods have been studied.
The actions of hydrocyanic acid gas, methyl bromide, and EDICT against Lasioderma serricorne Fab.; of EDCT, MB, and HCN for fumigation of ginger;
and of ethylene dibromide as a general fumigant are on record. Carbon disulfide
has been reported to be a suitable fumigant for potatoes. Relative toxicities of
fumigants and fumigant mixtures have also been studied. Monro (1963, 1964)
has reviewed behavior and residual effects of several fumigants with reference
to storage of food grains and fumigation techniques.
Records of commercial fumigation under Indian conditions are few. Studies
have been made to analyze the permeability of liquid fumigants through polyethylene sheets (Muthu and Narasimhan, 1964). EDICT was the main fumigant
used until recently. Practical experience with this chemical mixture suggests that
it is not very useful in grain meant for long storage. In short-term storage,
surviving insects do not get an opportunity to create a problem, and therefore
it may be satisfactory. A recirculatory technique to increase its efficacy under
gas-tight covers has been attempted (unpublished records). This device provides
for better mortality and reduction in the dosage. The lack of ovicidal action by
the fumigant, however, limits the scope of its use.
10.7. BIOEFFICACY AND RESIDUE EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES
The efficacy of various pesticides, such as lindane, aldrin, and heptachlor,
against white grubs of groundnut has been reported (Pradhan et al., 1964; Beri
and Dewan, 1964; Bhatnagar, 1975). The comparative efficacy of organochlorine
and organophosphorus insecticides has been studied by different workers (Shetty
and Nayar, 1964; Bhatnagar et al .• 1964).
The relative efficacy of fenitrothion, malathion, gardona, and idofenphos
used as grain protectants has been determined (Krishnaiah et al., 1976). Studies
show fenitrothion to be the most effective grain protectant. Malathion and gardona proved almost equally effective. Idofenphos was iound to be least effective.
The effects of pesticides on the metabolic processes of plants and other
281
effective use in other commodities under varying conditions and in countering
the problem of hazardous residues, if any exist.
While chemical control of storage pests is being actively practiced for the
safe storage of grains in India, biological methods of control using insects and
microbes (Bacillus thuringiensis) are mostly of theoretical interest at this time.
Some records have been made of the occurrence of chalcid and other parasites
on different species of grain pests (Mookherjee, 1964).
The properties of common fumigants used in India have been described by
a number of workers (Dhaliwal and Rattan Lal, 1973). Effects of temperature
during prefumigation, fumigation, and postfumigation periods have been studied.
The actions of hydrocyanic acid gas, methyl bromide, and EDICT against Lasioderma serricorne Fab.; of EDCT, MB, and HCN for fumigation of ginger;
and of ethylene dibromide as a general fumigant are on record. Carbon disulfide
has been reported to be a suitable fumigant for potatoes. Relative toxicities of
fumigants and fumigant mixtures have also been studied. Monro (1963, 1964)
has reviewed behavior and residual effects of several fumigants with reference
to storage of food grains and fumigation techniques.
Records of commercial fumigation under Indian conditions are few. Studies
have been made to analyze the permeability of liquid fumigants through polyethylene sheets (Muthu and Narasimhan, 1964). EDICT was the main fumigant
used until recently. Practical experience with this chemical mixture suggests that
it is not very useful in grain meant for long storage. In short-term storage,
surviving insects do not get an opportunity to create a problem, and therefore
it may be satisfactory. A recirculatory technique to increase its efficacy under
gas-tight covers has been attempted (unpublished records). This device provides
for better mortality and reduction in the dosage. The lack of ovicidal action by
the fumigant, however, limits the scope of its use.
10.7. BIOEFFICACY AND RESIDUE EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES
The efficacy of various pesticides, such as lindane, aldrin, and heptachlor,
against white grubs of groundnut has been reported (Pradhan et al., 1964; Beri
and Dewan, 1964; Bhatnagar, 1975). The comparative efficacy of organochlorine
and organophosphorus insecticides has been studied by different workers (Shetty
and Nayar, 1964; Bhatnagar et al .• 1964).
The relative efficacy of fenitrothion, malathion, gardona, and idofenphos
used as grain protectants has been determined (Krishnaiah et al., 1976). Studies
show fenitrothion to be the most effective grain protectant. Malathion and gardona proved almost equally effective. Idofenphos was iound to be least effective.
The effects of pesticides on the metabolic processes of plants and other