Evaluation of some plant products against Trogoderma granarium everts in sorghum and their effects on nutritional composition and organoleptic characteristics

The efficacy of neem, citrus, garlic and podina powders and neem oil at 1 and 2% level (w/w) in sorghum grains was evaluated against larvae of Trogoderma granarium. Neem kernel powder and neem oil completely prevented damage by an introduced larval population. In other treatments, grain damage was noticeable after 3 months, although significantly less than in untreated grains. Thereafter, the percentage of damaged kernels increased progressively and reached as high as 29% (neem leaf), 44% (citrus), 56% (podina) and 71% (garlic) compared to 85% in the control after 6 months. Nutritional composition viz., moisture, ash, fibre, fat, protein and carbohydrates of treated grains remained unaffected after 1 month of storage. After 6 months, changes in nutritional composition were proportional to insect damage. Chapatis (unleavened bread) prepared from flour of treated grains after 1 and 6 months were of normal colour, appearance and texture, but in all cases, their taste, aroma and overall acceptability were adversely affected either by insect infestation or plant products or their combination.