Chemical composition and biological activity of Allium sativum essential oils against Callosobruchus maculatus

In order to search for alternative control methods to synthetic pesticides, the potential of essential oils from Allium sativum (L.) (Alliaceae); was evaluated as fumigants against Callosobruchus maculatus (fab.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), a pest that attacks pulses during storage. Chickpea seeds were infested with 10 pairs of newly emerged weevils and, fumigated with 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4μl of essential oils of garlic/l of air. The essential oils of garlic were analyzed by GC-MS. The major components were trisulfide, di-2-propenyl and diallyl disulfide. Garlic essential oils significantly affected bruchid's fecundity (treated = 17-59 < control = 288-310), longevity (treated =1-3 < control = 2-13 days), fertility (treated= 0-62.96<controls =89.03-93.40%) and success rate (treated= 0 < control = 80-90%). The LC50 and LC99 (24h) were respectively 2.5 and 23.3μl/l of air for females and 2.56 and 46.07 μl/l for The fumigation of stored products against insect pests with garlic essential oils could be considered as an integrated pest management (IPM) tactic without risk for consumers and the environment.