Abstract
Grains postharvest losses in Brazil are estimated to be about 10%, mainly due to insects infestation. The species Sitophilus zeamais and Tribolium castaneum, which can be controlled by diatomaceous earth, are the principal insects infesting stored products. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of different diatomaceous earth doses on the control of adult S. zeamais and T. castaneum in stored corn grains. Corn grains at 12, 14 and 16% humidity, with 92.35% of whole grain, were treated with 1000 and 2000 g t-1 doses of diatomaceous earth. Each treatment was composed by five replications with 100 g of treated grains, or not (control), infested with 10 adult insects of each species. Three infestation periods were observed: 1 hour, 10 days and 20 days after the application of the product. The insect mortality and the technological grain analysis were verified 60 days after each infestation period. Higher mortality means (100%) were obtained with the lowest (12%) humidity content, and higher rotten grain levels (44.15% and 24.55%) were observed in control treatments of grains with the highest humidity contents (14 and 16%, respectively). Therefore, it ispossible to conclude that diatomaceous earth effectively controls S. zeamais and T. castaneum and reduces damages to stored grains, especially when humidity contents after harvest is around 12%.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Revista Brasileira de Ciências Agrárias - Brazilian Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.