Tyrophagus putrescentiae: Feeding Potential and Management Strategies

Quantitative and qualitative losses due to Tyrophagus putrescentiae infestation in wheat grains/flour revealed. A significant difference in weight loss on grains/flour post inoculation period. Percent weight loss significantly more on flour. In infested grains, negative correlation between mite number and total soluble sugar content. Significant increase in reducing sugars with increase in mites infestation period. A positive correlation between mites population and reducing sugars in grains. Non reducing sugars and starch content in grains decreased significantly. In infested grains and flour protein content initially decreased after 90 days, thereafter slight increase. Wheat flour showed more reduction in total soluble sugars, non reducing sugars, starch and increase in reducing sugars as compared to grains. Percent germination in seeds and seedling length showed highest Vigour Index in non infested grains. Leaf powder of Withania somnifera, Pongamia pinnata and Azadirachta indica were bioassayed against T. putrescentiae in wheat grains. Higher concentration (2 and 1%) showed significantly no population as compared to lower concentrations (0.7, 0.6 and 0.5%) after post treatment.