Field of llic Invenlioii
The invention relates to novel synergistic pesticidal composition of some phytogenic seed protectants useful for protection of organic or non-organic seeds and grain of cereals from infestation of Rice weevil {Sitophilus oryzae). Lesser Grain Borer {Rhyzopertha dominica). Red Rust Flour Beetle (Tribolium castaneum) and Grain Moth (Sitotroga cerealelld) under storage conditions. The invention also provides a method for preparation of the said composition.
Background of the Invention
During storage cereal seed and grain are infested by Rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae), Lesser Grain Borer {Rhyzopertha dominica). Red Rust Flour Beetle {Tribolium castaneum) and Grain Moth {Sitotroga cerealella) the damage of which severely reduce the germination, vigor and vitality of seed. The infested kernel also become imfit for human consumption due to various reasons.
Through out the world, protection of seed/grain under storage condition is heavily dq)endent on different insecticides, which are used for prophylactic or curative treatment. In prophylactic treatments, some organophosphates such as malathion, chlorpyriphos methyl, pirimiphos methyl or pyrethroids such as deltamethrin are directly mixed in the seed before storage or sprayed in the godown or warehouse. In India and so many other countries, mixing of any insecticide is pemiitted only in non-organic seed while their use in organic seed or any type of food ^-ain is completely banned. These two groups of insecticides have been used so injudiciously that within a very short period, most insects have developed resistance against it. Malathion, an organophosphate tihat was introduced imder storage, system to manage the insect-pest problem at 2 ppm, has now.become ineffective even at 125 ppm within a few years. Siinilarly, the newly introduced, pyrethroid, deltamethrin, which controls the insect-
1

3
pest problem at 1 ppni in most parts of the world, has now become useless even at 40 ppm in some parts ol'our country. Most surprisingly, these insecticides are also mixed m the food grain which is not permitted in India.
Presently we do not have any non-insecticida! product which can be used efTsctively and economically for the control of all four storage pest : Rice weevil. Lesser Grain Borer, Red Rust Flonr Beetle and Grain Moth, in t!ie orgjinic cereal seed. Altliough, some plants have been reported to possess the pesticidal property, their activity is restricted to some speciOc species due to which they are not much usefui for the treatment of organic seed which may be infested by all the four species during storage.
As the rate of growth of insect population is very higli in case of stored grain insects, the product may also prove to be ineffective unless it suppresses 90-100 per cent feeding and breeding of insects. The product should also be highly eflective for longer duration as in most of the conditions grains are stored for one year i.e. from one har\'est to the next To be economically viable, it should be effective against all major pests at lower concentration, as the cost of treatment will increase tremendously with the increase in the concentration Presently we do not have such products.
hi tlie prior art the investigation of this inventor, Tiwari [Tiwari, S.N. 1994, Imertmuonul J Pest Managemeni, 40, 1, 94-97] the root powder of Rmmolfiu serpentifm was highly effective against Lesser Grain Borer Rfmopenha domimca as it completely suppressed the feeding and breeding of this insect even at 0.25 per cent. Unitvvealed studies made by this inventor group indicate tlial it is highly effective against this insect even at 0.05 0.10 per cent. Although, in one of tlie attempt it was not effective against Siiophilus otyzae in further tests which are not reported, it has suppressed 47-53 per cent progeny of this insect a! 0.25 per cent. Unrcvealed tests indicate that this product is also effective against Tribolhim caskweiim by suppressing 61-91 percent progeny and 52 percent infestation. Unrevealeil test indicate that this product is effective against Sitotroga cerenlella as it suppressed 73-94 per cent progeny production at 0,05-0.20 per cent.
2

In Jhe prior art Subraraanya et al 1994 fSubramanya, S.; Babu, C.K.; Krishnappa, C. and Murthy, K.C.K. 1994. Mysore J. Agric. Sci., 28, 325-345,] have reported the efficacy of leaf powder of Eucalyptus citriodora against Callosobruchus chinensis which infest stored pulses. No one have reported its efficacy against insect pests of stored cereal which are the subject of present invention. Furthermore, the form in which it has been used in present invention is unrevealed.
In the prior art Islam et al. 1994 [Islam, N.; Bhuiyah, M.I.M.; Begum A. and Karim, M.A.
1989. Bangladesh J. ZooL, 17, 175-178.] liave reported the efficacy of Lantana camara
against Sitophilus oryzae at 2% in maize. No one have reported its efficacy against other
insect pests of cereals studied in the present invention. Also, the efficacy of this plant al
lower level against insect pests of cereals is unrevealed.
In the prior art Atal et al. 1978 [Atal, C.K,; Srivastava, J.B.; Wali, B.K.; Chakravarty, R.B.; Dhawan, B.N. and Rastogi, R.P. 1978. Indian J. Exp. Biol, 16, 330-349] have studied the mortality of Tribolium casianeum treated with extract of Ageratum conyzoides which is not the subject of present invention. In the prior art Miguel et al 2003 [ Miguel, E. A. A.; Marisabel, A.; Lianne, A. and Jorge, L.A. 2003.CIENCIA 11(1) 61-76.] have studied the repellency and feeding deterrent activity of some extracts of Ageratum conyzoides which is not the subject of present invention. Our unrevealed studies have indicated that acetone, carbon tetra chloride, chloroform, ethanol, ethyl acetate, hexane, methanol, petroleum ethpr and water extract of Ageratum conyzoides leaf are not much effective against Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae. No one have studied the efficacy of powders of different plant parts of Ageratum conyzoides against insect pests of cereals such as Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae, Sitotroga cerealella and Tribolium castaneum which is the subject of present investigation. Furthermore, the form in which.it has been used in present invention is unrevealed.

-5-OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide broad spectrum synergistic pesticidal compositions of plant origin useful for protection of organic or non-organic cereal seed or grain from insect infestation under storage condition.
Another object is to provide pesticidal composition of organic seed protectants, which are commercially viable, eco-friendly, biodegradable, and non-toxic to non-target organisms.
Yet another object is to provide a composition which is highly effective against all the major insects pests of cereals like Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oiyzae, Sitotroga cerealella and Tribolium castaneum under storage conditions.
Still another object is to provide a pesticidal composition having long shelf life and easily applicable.
A further object of this invention is to propose a process for the preparation of broad spectrum synergistic pesticidal compositions of plant origin useful for protection of organic or non-organic cereal seed or grain from insect infestation under storage condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INENTION
According to this invention there is provided A bio pesticidal composition for protection of seeds 8B grains from storage insects pests comprising the plant parts of:
a) Ageratum conyzoides and
b) Eucalyptus citriodora and
c) Leaf powder Lantana camara present in equal parts
According to the practice of the invention, any aerial parts of Ageratum conyzoides can be used, however, best results are obtained when new leaf powder is used. In case of Eucalyptus citriodora the leaves or saw dust are not effective due to which best result is obtained when ash of woody parts or saw dust are used in composition. The Lantana camara is used in the form of leaf powder while Rauwolfia serpentine root powder are incorporated in the composition. Invention have revealed that parts of the plant and form in which they are used is very important for adequate efficacy against storage insect pests.

Jlic propdilion in which (he plant jiails of Ay\ciiUwn coiiyzoulcs. Eucalyptus ciliKx/oni,
LanUma caimira, and Rauwolfia serpcuiina arc combined can be readily delcrmiiicd by a
person skilled in (he art. However, the use oiAgeraium conyzoides and Eucalyptus citriodora
in the ratio of ]; 1; Ageratum conyzoides. Eucalyptus citriodora and Lantana camara in the
ratio of 1:1: J aJid Ageratum conyzoides. Eucalyptus and Rauwolfia serpentina in the ratio of
2:1:1 provide best results. The resultant composition is found to exhibit surprising and
unexpected properties and is effective against pests such as Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus
oryzae, Sitotroga cerealella and Tribolium castaneum.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for preparation of the composition which comprises the steps of pulverizing the plant parts of Ageratum conyzoides. Eucalyptus citriodora, Lantana camara, and Rauwolfia serpentina and mixing Ageratum conyzoides and Eucalyptus citriodora in the ratio of 1:1; Ageratum conyzoides. Eucalyptus citriodora and Lantana camara in the ratio of 1:1:1 and Ageratum conyzoides. Eucalyptus and Rauwolfia serpentina in the ratio of 2:1:1. The compositions so prepared can be formulated in the physical forms of powders. The composition containing Ageratum conyzoides and Eucalyptus citriodora in the ratio of 1:1; Ageratum conyzoides. Eucalyptus citriodora and Lantana camara in the ratio of 1:1:1 and Ageratum conyzoides. Eucalyptus and Rauwolfia serpentina in the ratio of 2:1:1, can be mixed in the organic or non-organic cereal seeds at the rate of 2,2 and 1 per cent (wAv), respectively, to protect the seed from insect infestation.
To describe in detail, the phytogenic pesticidal composition is prepared by (a) grinding dry Ageratum conyzoides and Lantana camara leaves to fine powder, (b) grinding dry root of Rauwolfia serpentina to fine powder (c) burning of Eucalyptus citriodora woody parts or saw dust to obtain black ash and grinding it to fine powder, (d) sieving the dry powders separately through 15-20 mesh sieve (e) mixing the above mentioned sieved powders of Ageratum conyzoides doA Eucalyptus citriodora in the ratio of 1:1; Ageratum conyzoides. Eucalyptus citriodora and Lantana camara in the ratio of 1:1:1 and Ageratum conyzoides. Eucalyptus and Rauwolfia serpentina in the ratio of 2:1:1 .to get pesticidal compositions.
6

11)1' iiifdiod loi |)iok< liii;', (lie i)ij'.;iiiu (II (Kill i;iin ii(»fii luftsliilioii oT iliNcc 1 pcs(s iifidci .storaj'.c coiKiiliot) involves mixing', tin.: t.-oi!)po.siJion containing Agcraiurn ronyzoidfx inid Eucolypru.s nfrioihra in tlic ratio ol 1:1; Agcrahwi conyzoides. Eucalyptus cithodora and Lantami caniara in tlic lalio ol" 1:1:1 and Ageratum conyzoides. Eucalyptus ajid Rauwolfia serpentina in (he ratio of 2:1:1, at the rate of 2,2 and 1 per cent (w/w), respectively, uniformly through out the seed/grain so that their surfaces are coaled with the powdery formulation. For lliis purpose, the formulation is mixed manually by spreading the seed/grain on polyethylene sheets. Manually operated seed dressers/mixers may also be used for this purpose. The treated seed may be stored in jute, polyethylene or poly lined jute bags or different types of bins. The formulation may be used for prophylactic treatment of grain/seed, to protect the same from insect infestation imder storage conditions. To protect the grains from infestation of Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae, the leaf powder of Ageratum conyzoides may be mixed alone at the rate of 1 per cent. Similarly, mixing of Eucalyptus citriodora powder at the rate of 1 per cent will protect the grains from infestation of Sitophilus oryzae and Tribolium castaneum.
Dry leaf powder of Ageratum conyzoides is highly effective against Rhyzopertha dominica at 0.50-1.50 per cent (w/w) as it reduces 98-100 per cent progeny production and 82-98 per cent infestation of tliis insect pest (Table 1). It is also highly effective against Sitophilus oryzae, the progeny and infestation of which are reduced by 90-100 and 91 per cent, respectively, at 1.00 per cent. The efficacy of this plant is reduced considerably with lowering dose to 0.25%. Ageratum conyzoides is, however, not effective against Tribolium castaneum commonly known as the Red rust flour beetle. The efficacy of this plant has also been found to vary with plant parts(Table 1). At 0.50 % new and mature leaf of Ageratum conyzoides suppressed 100 % progeny of Rhyzopertha dominica while only 90 per cent inhibition was achieved by whole plant powder. However, at 1.00 and 1.50% new leaf, mature leaf and whole plant were equally effective against Rhyzopertha dominica. Against Sitophilus oryzae new leaf was more effective as compared to mixed leaf, mature leaf and whole plant at 0.50%, however, at 1.00 per cent mixed, new and mature leaf were highly effective while whole plant powder was very less effective. At 1.50% also whole plant powder is less effective against Sitophilus oryzae as compared to new leaf and mature leaf
7

Flic )c;il i)owdcr oi Lantana camara ;Khiiixc(} wjlli wJicnl nl \\\c ra(c of J'Ki may prolcc! i! from infcslalion of Sitophilus oryzae where as il lias mild effect at 0.25-0.50% I'liis plant is not c/lfbctivc against Rhyzopertha dominica and TriboHum castaneum.
Dry root powder ofRauwolfia serpentina is highly effective against Rhyzopertha dominica at 0.05-1.00 per cent (w/w) as it completely checks the progeny production and infestation of this insect pest (Table 1). However, it is not much effective against Siiophilus oryzae TriboHum castaneum and Sitotroga cerealella. At LOO per cent this root powder is highly effective against Rhyzopertha dominica and TriboHum castaneum. The acetone, chloroform, ethanol, ethyl acetate, methanol or propanol extract of Rauwolfia serpentina root is also highly effective against Rhyzopertha dominica at the rate of 0.25 % equivalent
Eucalyptus citriodora ash , on the other hand, is not much effective against Rhyzopertha dominica at 1 per cent. However, it is highly effective against Sitophilus oryzae and TriboHum castaneum. It reduces 95-100 per cent progeny and 92-99 per cent infestation of these two pests (Table 1) at this level. More surprisingly the saw dust of Eucalyptus citriodora wood do not have any effect against any of these four insect pest while leaf powder of this plant is moderately effective against TriboHum castaneum.
Dry seed powder of Azadirachta indica is also not much effective against Rhyzopertha dominica at 0.25-1.00 per cent. However, ii is highly effective against Sitophiltis oryzae and TriboHum castaneum at 1.00 per cent. It reduces 92-93 per cent progeny and 94 per cent infestation oi Sitophilus oryzae. It also reduces 93-100 per cent progeny and 92 per cent infestation of TriboHum castaneum(Tab\e 1).
The above mentioned results indicate that none of the plants described above are effective against all the four insect pests of stored cereals due to which it is necessary to formulate some products with broad spectrum activity. 'Hie composition of invention containing equal proportion of dry leaf powder of Ageratum conyzoides and ash powder of Eucalyptus citriodora at 2.00 percent is highly effective against all the four major insect pests of stored
8

^i
(U'ical.s, Riiy/djx-itlKi iloiiii/iira, Sitojihilu.s oryy.ut', Silolro^ia ci'ti'iilelta and TnhoHuni casfdiicwii. 'I'lic conibinatiun oi lljc abovc-iiicnlionctJ ingrcdicjits w;is synergistic as il sujjprcsscd 96-100, 98, 92 and 92 j>ci cciiJ progeny of Rhyzoperthu dominica, Sitophilus oryzue, Triboliuiti castancum and Sitoiroga cerealella, respectively. 11 may also acliicvc 95, 99 and 91 per cent suppression of infestation of Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae and Tribolium casianeum, respectively. The formulation containing Ageratum conyzoides. Eucalyptus citriodora and Lantana camara in the ratio of 1:1:1 was effective against Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae and Sitotroga cerealella at 2.00% when it suppressed 100,88 and 92 per cent progeny of these insects, respectively. The composition of invention containing Ageratum conyzoides. Eucalyptus and Rauwol/ia serpentina in the ratio of 2:1:1 suppressed 100,99 and 88 per cent progeny and 100,99 and 87 per cent infestation of Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae and Tribolium castaneum when it was mixed in the wheat seed at 1.00 per cent(w/w).
The effects of above mentioned ingredients have been found to be synergistic, and the formulation is not mere combination of two or three ingredients in some proportion, as other combinations have failed to show such synergistic effect. Although, Ageratum conyzoides was effective against Rhyzopertha and Sitophilus and Rauwolfia serpentina was effective against Rhyzopertha dominica and Tribolium castaneum, their combination in the ratio of 4:1 failed to show adequate activity against Tribolium indicating that combination was not synergistic for this insect(Table 1). The proportion of these the ingredients in the preparation and the rate at which the formulation is mixed to the grain/seed, are hij^ly specific and devised after careful consideration and study to minimize their dosages. At lower concentration the efficacy of the product is reduced significantly.
During 6-month storage, the insect infestation in treated seed varied from 0.0 to 21.6 % where as untreated seed recorded 6.9 to 88.7% infestation. Similarly the loss in the weight of treated seed varied from 0.0 to 7.1% while untreated seed recorded 0.6 to 28.8% loss in weight(Table 2). The data indicated that the seed protectant is effective even in most suscq)tible storage structure and higher protection may be achieved in grain stored in polythene bag, polythene lined jute bag or different types of bin. In the seed stored in metal
9

lo
bin i\i\rr lu-n\mpt, witJi scc(i |)r<)l<'(taji( only 0,2], 2/)3 and ■I.OO'Mi
inlfslation was rcconlcxi ailcr, 8, 12 and 1(> nionlhs sloiaj^t- wliilc
uitlrcaf(."d scrcd stored in tlic similar siruolurc recorded 0.60, 10.59 find
17.36% infestation (Table 3). During 16 nionlli storage 77.0'M) protection
was provided by composition of invention while synthetic pyethroid
dellamethrin provided 86.1% protection. The data indicated that in long
term storage of seed or grain efficacy of organic seed protectant is more
or less similar to chemical seed protectant deltamethrin (Table 3). The
treatment of seed with the formulation maintained the germination of
seed at a very high level and increased the vigour of seedling (Table. 4).
Bioassay test indicated that the residue of grain protectant in removed
completely when the treated graiii is washed in the water (Table. 5).
Organoleptic properties of food prepared from treated and washed grain
were also superior to treated and unwashed grain (Table .6) indicating
that residue of organic seed protectant is removed when the treatment
seed/grain is washed in water.
Considering the requirements of seed and grain treatment, the powder
formulation seems to be most suitable for use at farmers level. The
powder formulation has also additional advantage of having all the
bioactive ingredients of the plant, some of which are destroyed during
extraction. Due to presence of so may bioactive principles, the storage
insect pests may find it very difficult to develop resistance against it.
Therefore, there is a long felt need fro commercially viable, economical,
eco-friendl}' and non-toxic pesticidal composition which can be used for
the protection of organic and non-organic cereal seed and grain under
storage conditions. Also there is a need for a biodegradable composition,
primarily of botanical origin which is non-toxic to non-target organism
and is an appropriate substitute for chemical protectant. As the active
ingredients of the organic seed/grain protectant are removal after
washing the seed in water, the unused or unsold seed may be used for
human consumption which is not advisable in case of chemical seed
protectant. Considering the vast reserve of natural resources, there is
urgent need to exploit phytogenic seed/grain protectant for protection of
stored seed/grain. These seed/grain protectants of plant origin may also
be used in the management of insecticide of insecticide resistant strains
of storage insects. Its use may also delay the development of resistance
in insects.

-11-
Accordingly, the present invention provided several herbal preparation in powder form, which are highly effective against most of the important insect pest species of cereals under storage condition for longer duration. It may be used for protection of organic or non-organic cereal seed or grain against insect infestation. As the active ingredients of polytogenic seed/grain protectant are completely different from synthetic insecticides, it may also be used for control of insecticide resistant strains of stored grain insect. The use of this herbal seed/grain protect may also delay the developnient of resistant in storage insect. All the components of it are easily and abundantly available in India. As some of it are byproduct of wood industry their incorporation in seed protectant will open a new avenue for its proper utilization. Under cool and dry condition the product may be stored for 9-12 months. However, it should be packed in airtight packing to avoid absorption of moisture which may adversely affect its property.
The invention is described with reference to the examples given below which are given to illustrate the invention and therefore should not be considered to limit the scope of the invention.

-12-
BXAMPLE 1
Well-cleaned and washed leaves of Ageratum conyzoides and Lantana camara were dried in the oven at 60°C till they become fit for grinding in mechanical grinder-mixer. Woody parts or saw dust of Eucalyptus citridora were burnt to get ash. All the materials were powdered to pass through 15-20 mesh sieve. The sieved powders were compounded in following proportion to prepare the herbal seed/grain protectant:
Ageratum conyzoides leaf poweder 33% w/w
camara Lantana leaf powder 33% w/w
Eucalyptus citriodora ash powder 33% w/w
To protect the organic or non-organic wheat seed/grain from infestation of Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae, and Sitotroga cerealella under storage condition, the preparation may be mixed in the seed at the rate of 0.50-2.00 per cent (w/w) after which the grains may be stored in jute, cotton, polyethylene lined jute bags, plastic jars or metal bins. Best results are obtained when the composition of invention is mixed at the rate of 2% (w/w)

-13-
Table 1: To study the synergistic effect of Ageratum conysxiides, Lantana camara, Eucalyptus dtriodora and Rauwolfia serpentine agednst major insect pests of stored cereals such as Rkyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae, and Tribolium castaneum, the efficacy of Ageratum conyzoides, Lantana camara, Eucalyptus dtriodora and Rauwolfia serpentine was studied against these insects. As none of these were found effective against all the insect pests herbal seed protectant were formulated after compounding Ageratum. conyzoides and Eucalyptus dtriodora in the ratio of 1:1; Ageratum conyzoides, Eucalyptus dtriodora and Lantana camara in the ratio of 1:1:1 and Ageratum. conyzoides, Eucalyptus and Rauwolfia serpentine in the ratio of 2:1:1, which were evaluated at the rate of 2,2 and 1 per cent (w/w), respectively. The results are shown in Table 1 which indicates that dry leaf powder of Ageratum conyzoides is highly effective against Rhyzopertha dominica at 0.50-1.50 per cent (w/w) as it reduces 98-100 per cent progeny production and 82-98 per cent infestation of this insect pest. It is also highly effective against Sitophilus oryzae, the progeny and infestation of which are reduced by 90-100 and 91 per cent, respectively, at 1.00 per cent. The efficacy of this plant is reduced considerably with lowering dose to 0.25% Ageratum conyzoides is, however, not effective against Tribolium castaneum commonly known as the Red rust flour beetle. The efiicacy of this plant has also been found to vary with plant parts. At 0.50% new and mature leaf of Ageratum conyzoides suppressed 100% progeny of Rhyzopertha dominica while only 90 per cent inhibition was achieved by whole plant powder. However, at 1.00 and 1.50% new leaf, mature leaf and whole plant were equally effective against Rhyzopertha dominica. Against Sitophilus oryzae new leaf was more effective as compared to mixed leaf, mature leaf and whole plant at 0.50%, however, at 1.00 per cent mixed, new and mature leaf were highly effective while whole plant powder was very less effective. At 1.50% also whole plant powder is less effective against Sitophilus oryzae as compeired to new leaf and mature leaf.

1^
Mif l(-a( |K)\vcc(ively. 11 may also acliicve 95, 99 and 91 per cent suppression of infestation of Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae and Tribolium castaneum, respectively. The formulation containing Ageratum conyzoides. Eucalyptus citriodora and Lantana catnara in the ratio of 1:1:1 was effective against Rhyzopertha dominica, SHophiltis oryzae and Sitoiroga cerealella at 2.00% \fhen it suppressed 100,88 and 92 per cent progeny of these insects, respectively. The composition of invention containing Ageratum conyzoides. Eucalyptus and Rauwolfia serpentina in the ratio of 2:1:1 suppressed 100,99 and 88 per cent progeny and 100,99 and 87 per cent infestation of Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae and Tribolium castaneum when it was mixed in the wheat seed at 1.00 per cent(w/w).
The effects of above mentioned ingredients have been found to be synergistic, and the formulation is not mere combination of two or three ingredients in some proportion, as other combinations have failed to show such synergistic effect. Although, Ageratum conyzoides was effective against Rhyzopertha and Sitophilus and Rauwolfia serpentina was effective against Rhyzopertha dominica and Tribolium castaneum, their combination in the ratio of 4:1 failed to show adequate activity against Tribolium indicating that combination was not synergistic for this insect. The proportion of these the ingredients in the preparation and the rate at which the formulation is mixed to the grain/seed, are highly specific and devised after careful consideration and study to minimize their dosages. At lower concentration the efficacy of the product is reduced significantly.
Table 2. Table describes the per cent infestation and weight loss of grain stored in jute bag after treating with herbal seed protectant (Ageratum conyzoides leaf powder + Eucalyptus citriodora ash) St the rate of 2% (w/w). During 6-month storage, the insect infestation in treated seed varied fi^om 0.0 to 21.6 % where as untreated seed recorded 6.9 to 88.7% infestation. Similarly the loss in the weight of treated seed varied fix)m 0.0 to 7.1% while untreated seed recorded 0.6 to 28.8% loss, in weight. The data indicated that the seed protectant is effective even in most susceptible storage structure and higher protection may
15

he ;irljicvi:(l in j^iaiii sloivd iit iM>lylli(,-i)(' h;t)', polyfJii-Mc lined jiilc h;i|', o( dilTcifnl lyjics of bin
Tabic 3. The tabic describes the pcrfonnancc of herbal seed protectant in long lemi storage of seed/grain and compares its performance with chemical seed protectant dellamethrin. In the seed stored in metal bin after treating with seed protectant only 0.21, 2.93 and 4.00% infestation was recorded after 8, 12 and 16 montlis storage while untreated seed stored in the similar structure recorded 0.60,10.59 and 17.36% infestation. During 16 month storage 77,0 % protection was provided by composition of invention while synthetic pyrethroid deltamethrin provided 86.1% protection. The data indicated that in long term storage of seed or grain efficacy of organic seed protectant is more or less similar to chemical seed protectant deltamethrin.
Table 4. The table describes the effect of herbal seed protectant on the germination, vigor and viability of wheat seed which indicates that treatment of seed with the formulation maintained the germination of seed at a very high level and increased the vigoxu" of seedling.
Table 5. Table describes the result of bioassay conducted to study the residue of herbal seed protectant in treated and washed and treated and imwashed seed. Bioassay test indicated that the residue of grain protectant is removed completely when the treated grain is washed in the water.
Table 6. describes the effect of herbal seed protectant on the organoleptic properties of food. Organoleptic properties of food prepared from treated and washed grain were superior to treated and unwashed grain indicating that residue of organic seed protectant is removed when the treated seed/grain is washed in water.
16

-If'
Advantages of the presenl Invention
The unique advantages of the organic pesticide fonned as per the present invention are: 1. Suppresses the progeny and infestation of all the four major insect pests of stored cereals, Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus bryzae Tribolium castaneum and Sitotroga cerealella .
2. Product of invention can be utilized for long term protection of organic or non-organic
cereal seed or grain.
3. Products of invention are the only products available for protection of organic seed against
all the major insect pests.
4. Highly effective for long duration even at lower concentrations.
5. Maintains the gemiination of the seed at a very high level.
6. Vigour of the seedling is increased.
7. Controls the insecticide resistant strains of the stored insects.
8. Delays the development of resistance in stored insects.
9. Non-toxic to non-target organisms.

10. The residue of grain protectant is removed completely when washed in water.
11. The seed protectant do not adversely afifect the organolqjtic properties of the food if it is prepared after washing the treated grain in water.
12. All the components are easily available.
13. As some components are byproducts of wood industry, they may be utilized
advantageously.
14. Viable, easily available, economical, biodegradable and eco-ftiendly.
It is to be noted that the present invention 's susceptible to modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments employing the. concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the follQ\ying claims; -.

WE CLAIM;
1. A bio pesticidal composition for protection of seeds 85 grains from storage
insects pests comprising the plant parts of:
a) Ageratum conyzoides and
b) Eucalyptus citriodora and
c) Leaf powder Lantana camara present in equal parts
2. A method as claimed in claim 4, comprising the step of: (a)
grinding dry Ageratum conyzoides and Lantana camara leaves to a
fine powder, (b) burning of Eucalyptus citrodora woody parts or
saw dust to obtain ash and grinding it to fine powder (c) sieving the
dry powders separately through 15-20 mesh sieve (d) mixing the
above mentioned sieved powders to obtain a synergistic
composition.
Dated this 24* day of July, 2006
(MONA SAINV*^ 0FL.S.DAVAR8BC0., APPLICANTS AGENT.