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Abstract

A laboratory bioassay was conducted to investigate the antifeedant effect of Gomphrena serrata extracts on sitophilus oryzae (rice weevil) belongs to the family Curculionidae. Antifeedants are natural or synthetic compounds that stops or inhibits feeding by a pest and especially an insect. Gomphrena serrata- Amaranthacae family comprises many species which are used in nutrition and traditional folk medicine. Study was done to find the new active substance in the plant which could show antifeedant activity and compared with standard Strychnos nuxvomica. The extracts of both sample and standard were obtained by cold maceration process. The residue formed is collected and both the extracts were subjected to study the antifeedant activity. The activity is performed by dilution method and found to be showing the antifeedant activity. The primary objective of our work is simple and cost effective method to find out the active substance from natural resources.Indiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides has led to problems such as the resurgence of primary pests, secondary pest’s outbreak, resistance development, insecticide residue, health hazards, environmental contamination and increased cost of insect control. So this study will be solution for these problems by utilizing plant’s bioactive molecules. Plants are the most efficient producers of phytochemicals in the environment, including secondary metabolites that are used by the plant in defence against insects. The secondary metabolites produced from Gomphrena serrata could be utilized in the development of new biopesticides.

Keywords

Antifeedant Activity Bioassay Biopesticides Secondary metabolites Phytochemicals.

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