Potential of bioactive products for the control of stored grain pests

Abstract

The storing of grains has always been a problem for the farmers as various pests are commonly encountered in Assam and North East India. Infestation by these pests always causes great economic loss to the farmers every year. Various bioactive products has been known to have insecticidal property to great extent. Replacement of chemical pesticides by various bioactive products will be beneficial for the proper preservation of grain and are likely to cause less ecological damage. The use of synthetic products for the control of insect pests leads to the events like pest resistance, resurgence, product residues, undesirable environmental persistence, the risk to non-target organisms etc. Plant-derived bioactive compounds can be used as an alternative to control insect pest. Various phytochemicals include alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, saponins, flavonoids, phytosterols, phenolic compounds, steroids, ceramics, quinones, ethereal oils, propanoic derivatives, isoprene derivatives etc. are known to have an insecticidal activity to a varying degree.