Phytotoxic, cytotoxic and insecticidal activities of Calendula arvensis L

Plants are the natural factories for the synthesis of variety of bioactive compounds. This diverse chemical setup of the plants speaks their important role as biomedicine. These biomolecules are often toxic to both plants and animals. The methanolic extract of Calendula arvensis was screened for its toxic potential against Lemna minor, Artimia salina (Brine shrimps) larvae and some important grains pests. It was observed that C. arvensis exhibited dose dependent toxicity towards Lemna minor, with low toxicity at 10μg/ml and 100μg/ml and moderate activity at 1000μg/ml. Moderate level of cytotoxicity was found LD50 value 9.23μg/ml against brine shrimp larvae. The insecticidal potential was also dose dependent, while different insects showed variable degree of susceptibility to the same treatment. Callosobruchus analis was the most susceptible pest with LD50 0.51mg/ml, where Trogoderma granarium was the most resistive pest among the five tested insect with LD50 90.50mg/ml.