Insecticidal properties of whole meal or protein extracts of the bean seeds <i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> L. on juvenile stages of <i>Callosobruchus maculatus</i> (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Abstract

Callosobruchus maculatus is a pest that causes serious damage to Cicer arietinum (chickpea) stored seeds, but that does not develop in seeds of other legumes such as Phaseolus vulgaris or Pisum sativum. The bean seed is rich in antinutritional compounds known to inhibit the development of C. maculatus. In an integrated approach to protect stocks of Cicer arietinum against attacks of this weevil, this study had the main objective to assess the potential of using bean flours from a wild bean Vigna caracalla, four varieties of P. vulgaris, and of a crude extract from P. vulgaris lectins seed. The extraction method was chosen to extract lectin-like protein compounds. The biological effects of bean flour or protein extracts were observed on artificial seeds composed from C. arietinum flour enriched with P. vulgaris whole flour or extracts incorporated at different percentages. The antinutritional activity either of bean-seed whole meal or of lectin-like extracts was determined by the analysis of different biological parameters. Incorporation of bean flour mixed with chickpeas decreased fertility and fecundity of female C. maculatus and caused longer development times of juvenile stages. Peptide extracts of the P. vulgaris reduced fecundity and survival of C. maculatus.

Keywords: Callosobruchus maculatus, Phaseolus vulgaris, Lectin-like extract, Insecticidal properties, Artificial seed