FEEDING DETERRENCE OF FIVE INDIGENOUS PLANT OILS AGAINST SUGARCANE RAT, BANDICOTA BENGALENSIS

Abstract

For sugarcane rodents control usually rely on the use of synthetic rodenticides which may be risky for human health and hazardous for environment. Some naturally occurring bioactive plants products may
be used to deter rodents. In this regard feeding deterrence of five
lants oils; Azadirachta indica (neem); Valeriana officinalis (valarian), Acorus calamus (sweat flag), Curcuma longa (turmeric) and
Saussurea lappa (costus) was evaluated against the sugarcane rat Bandicota bangalensis at 0.50%, 1.00% & 2.0% in comparison with untreated (control) in the laboratory. The results of paired choice
tests revealed that consumption of neem oil showed maximum feeding deterrence as 65.94% for 2.00%, 56.79% for 1.00% and 45.41% at 0.50% treatments. Turmeric revealed maximum feeding
deterrence as (64.58%) for 2.00%. Costus oil treated bait showed maximum feeding deterrence (59.35%) at 2.00%. The results may be highly significant for feeding deterrence activity against the rats in lodged sugar canes at sugar mills.