Grain In Bags Research Articles

The cost of inadequate postharvest management of pulse grain: Farmer losses due to handling and storage practices in Uganda

BackgroundInvesting in postharvest technologies is one way of reducing food losses with the aim of achieving food security, but it is often overlooked. In this study, we assessed the losses and costs associated with the harvest and postharvest practices used by smallholder bean farmers in Uganda. We also estimated the grain Moisture Content (MC) associated with traditional storage practices.ResultsHarvest and postharvest handling practices result in a loss of about 22% of the crop harvest. The cost associated with this loss is 17% of the output value. In addition, the common storage practices used by farmers are unable to maintain the required grain MC of ≤ 13%. As even a slight change in grain MC can significantly impact storage duration, we found that 74% of farmers fail to meet the required MC, resulting in a loss of anticipated price premiums over an average storage duration of 80 days. Our econometric estimates suggest that storing grain in bags placed above the floor surface could reduce MC by an additional 1.5%.ConclusionsOur predictions indicate that farmers who use traditional practices should store bean grains for less than 60 days, or they should adopt better storage practices to increase shelf life and ensure food safety. If more farmers had placed their grain above the floor surface, 48% rather than 26% would have met the required MC at 90 days. It is worth noting that poor postharvest handling has significant economic implications and can lead to food safety concerns due to quality failures in the grain. To address these issues, there is a need to scale up interventions that increase farmer access to postharvest technologies.

Grain Handling and Storage in Lubero and Rutshuru Territories in the North Kivu Province, the Democratic Republic of Congo

Postharvest management of grain and seed is a challenge among smallholder farmers. Limited information is available on how smallholder farmers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who have been exposed to multiple conflicts, manage grain and seed after harvest. We interviewed 690 smallholder farmers in Lubero (Baswagha chiefdom) and Rutshuru (Bwisha and Bwito chiefdoms) territories of the North Kivu province of the DRC to assess how they dried and stored their crops. Results reveal that 95% and 80% farmers produced beans and maize, respectively. About half of respondents in Bwisha grew soybean, suggesting production diversification using conflict-resistant crops to minimize thefts and looting. Rotting and theft were the major challenges during field drying, while insects (81.3%) were the most important issue during storage. Sixty-six percent of farmers did not protect their grain during storage, exposing it to insect damage. Farmers producing beans in both Bwisha and Bwito, farmers storing beans and maize, and those storing for more than three months were more likely to protect their grains during storage. More than 70% of farmers saved seed for planting the next season but suffered significant weight losses of up to 50% due to insects. Storing grain in hermetic bags for six months had an estimated return on investments of up to 63% for maize in Baswagha and 54% for beans in Bwisha. Improved drying and storage technologies would help smallholder farmers to reduce their grain postharvest losses due to mold, theft, and insects. Smallholder farmers using these improved postharvest technologies have the opportunity to secure quality grain for home consumption and sale, and seed for planting.

Farmers’ perceptions, existing knowledge and current control methods of major stored maize grain insect pests in West Showa, Ethiopia

ABSTRACTS Maize is one of Ethiopia’s most important and strategic staple food security crops, grown by smallholder farmers. However, Maize production has not reached maximum potential due to a number of constraints, including storage insect pests, resulting in both qualitative and quantitative losses. The aim of this research was to assess farmers’ perceptions and understanding of major maize grain storage insect pests, investigate farmers’ current pest management activities, and identify pest management challenges as well as key intervention areas in the development of IPM strategies for maize grain storage pests. From February to April 2018, a survey was conducted in Ethiopia’s Ambo and Tokke kuttayye districts of the West Showa Administrative Zone. Face-to-face interviews with 146 randomly selected farmer household respondents were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. A large percentage of the farmers interviewed in both districts grew hybrid maize varieties. The majority of farmers (65.7%) packed their maize grain in polypropylene bags. Traditional storage facilities were used by just around a quarter of them. The majority of farmers kept their maize grain shelled, while a small percentage kept it unshelled. Most of the respondents knew about storage insect pests and reported that in the storage, their maize grains were attacked by a variety of insect pests, causing estimated damage of 26–50%, among which, Maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky) and Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella Olivier) were the most common ones. Age and storage form had a positive and statistically significant impact on farmers’ perception of severe insect pest attack on stored maize. Respondents used a number of control approaches, the most common of which was the use of synthetic pesticides. While, traditional control methods were only used rarely. In general, the results highlighted the importance of combining resistant varieties, pesticidal plants, and cultural pest management methods to establish effective IPM approaches, as well as addressing the challenges that prevent the use of modern storage technologies and control methods.

Efficacy Determination of Commercial Deltamethrin-Treated Storage Bags on Trogoderma granarium Everts Adults and Larvae

Trogoderma granarium Everts, the khapra beetle, is a serious stored product pest known to feed on >100 different products worldwide and is a major threat to global food security. Deltamethrin-treated storage bags are a resource that could be used to limit infestations during storage of grain in bags. We investigated the efficacy of deltamethrin-treated bags against T. granarium adults and larvae. Deltamethrin-treated and untreated packaging materials were affixed into the bottom of plastic Petri dishes (62 or 137 cm2) to create a bioassay arena. Adult T. granarium were exposed and observed to determine the time to knockdown and the subsequent mortality rate within 24 h. Adult T. granarium were knocked down in <60 min, and 100% of adults were knocked down or dead after 24 h. Trogoderma granarium larvae were exposed for 0.33, 1, 2, 3, or 4 d or continually exposed and monitored for larval death and adult emergence. Larvae exposed for 4 d had 50% mortality versus 97% if continually exposed. Utilizing this deltamethrin-treated packaging could cause disruptions in natural populations of T. granarium found in storage facilities, and the treated packaging is an effective tool that could be implemented into an integrated pest management program for bagged grain.

THE INFLUENCE OF ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS OF MAIZE GRAIN STORAGE ON THE CHANGES IN THE QUALITY PARAMETER “FALLING NUMBER”

In recent decades, at Ukrainian farms and grain-processing enterprises, the technology of storing grain in silo bags has become widespread. In this type of storage, anaerobic conditions are created due to the physiological respiration process, which ensures extended shelf life of freshly harvested grain. This, in turn, allows the use of low-power processing equipment for post-harvest grain processing, which is especially important for wet and moist maize as it requires powerful grain dryers. The article presents the results of a study of the effect that the initial moisture content of maize grain, the temperature and the duration of its storage under anaerobic conditions have on the Falling Number, one of the quality parameters depending on the amylase activity of the grain. The object of the study was grain samples of freshly harvested (in 2017) dent maize, the hybrid DKC 3705, with the average moisture contents 14%, 21%, and 28%, stored under anaerobic conditions for 3 months at temperatures of +18°C, +11°C, and +4°C. The Falling Number was determined by the standardized Hagberg-Perten method on a ПЧП-7 instrument (“Falling Number Apparatus”). Based on the results obtained, histograms of the kinetics of Falling Number changes have been constructed, the analysis of which made it possible to establish patterns of the changes in the Falling Number depending on the moisture content of the grain and the duration of its storage at different temperatures. It has been shown that in the maize grain samples with the initial moisture content 14%, regardless of the temperature conditions during storage for 3 months, there is a steady tendency to a gradual decrease in the Falling Number. In the maize grain samples with the initial moisture content over 14%, at the beginning of storage, there is a period of an increase in the Falling Number, the intensity of which depends on the initial moisture content of the grain and the temperature conditions of its anaerobic storage. After the completion of post-harvest maturation processes in freshly harvested maize grain, its further storage leads to a decrease in the Falling Number. To summarize the experimental data, a nonlinear empirical equation is suggested to describe the patterns of changes in the Falling Number depending on the factors studied: the moisture content of maize grain, the temperature conditions and duration of storage. Considering that the value of the Falling Number is determined by the activity of the amylase complex of the grain, it can be used as an express method of monitoring the state of grain stored in silo bags.

Maize Grain Stored in Hermetic Bags: Effect of Moisture and Pest Infestation on Grain Quality

Maize (Zea mays) is an important staple food crop produced by the majority of smallholder farmers that provides household food security through direct consumption and income generation. However, postharvest grain losses caused by insect pests during storage pose a major constraint to household food security. Hermetic storage technology is an alternative method that minimises postharvest losses by depleting oxygen and increasing carbon dioxide levels within the storage container through metabolic respiration of the grains, insects, and microorganism. Maize grain was stored for 180 days in hermetic bags or open-weave polypropylene bags to compare quality preservation when subject to initial grain moisture contents of 12, 14, 16, and 18 percent and infestation by Sitophilus zeamais. The moisture content of grain in hermetic bags remained unchanged while in polypropylene bags decreased. Dry grains (12% moisture content) stored well in hermetic bags and suffered 1.2% weight loss while for equivalent grains in polypropylene bags the weight loss was 35.8%. Moist grains (18% moisture content) recorded the lowest insect density (7 adults/kg grain) in hermetic bags while polypropylene bags had the highest (1273 adults/kg grain). Hermetic and polypropylene bags recorded the lowest (0–4 adults/kg grain) and highest (16–41 adults/kg grain) Prostephanus truncatus population, respectively. Discoloured grains were 4, 6, and 12 times more in grains at 14, 16, and 18 than 12 percent moisture content in hermetic bags. Grains at 18% moisture content recorded significantly lower oxygen (10.2%) and higher carbon dioxide (18.9%) levels. Holes made by P. truncatus in the hermetic bags were observed. In conclusion, storage of moist grains (14–18% moisture content) in hermetic bags may pose health risk due to grain discolouration caused by fungal growth that produces mycotoxins if the grains enter the food chain. The study was on only one site which was hot and dry and further investigation under cool, hot, and humid conditions is required.

Effect of Sealing Method and Lighting Candle in Metal Silos on Survival of the Larger Grain Borer, Prostephanus Truncatus, in Stored Maize

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sealing methods, grain volume and lighting candle in metal silo for the control of Prostephanus truncatus in stored maize. Metal silos with 100 kilograms holding capacity were loaded with 90 kilograms of grain, in-let and out-let were covered with lids and sealed either with rubber band, grease, rubber band combined with grease and lid without sealing (control). The control suffered highest grain damage of 6.6% and weight loss of 1.9% compared to metal silo sealed using rubber band combined with grease which had grain damage 4.5% and weight loss 0.6%, thirty-five days after storage. Metal silo sealed with rubber band combined with grease had significantly higher CO2 level of 2.1% v/v than the control 0.5% v/v. In a separate experiment, metal silos with: 90 kilograms of grain, with and without lighted candle; 45 kilograms of grain, with and without lighted candle and a polypropylene bag with 90 kilograms of grain were compared. Ninety days after storage, grain stored in all metal silos regardless of grain volume and candle lighting suffered the least weight loss 0.2% to 1.1%, and damage 4.1% to 10.5% compared to grain in polypropylene bags which had the highest loss 7.3% to 25.3% and damage, 28.9% to 37.5%. All metal silos irrespective of grain volume and candle lighting during storage had 100% insect mortality while in control the number of live P. truncatus increased from 100 to 1786, ninety days after storage. Proper sealing of metal silo with either rubber band or grease and use of lighted candle effectively controlled P. truncatus in stored maize irrespective of grain volume.

Performance of PICS bags under extreme conditions in the sahel zone of Niger

Experiments in Niger assessed whether extreme environmental conditions including sunlight exposure affect the performance of triple-layer PICS bags in protecting cowpea grain against bruchids. Sets of PICS bags and woven polypropylene bags as controls containing 50 kg of naturally infested cowpea grain were held in the laboratory or outside with sun exposure for four and one-half months. PICS bags held either inside or outside exhibited no significant increase in insect damage and no loss in weight after 4.5 months of storage compared to the initial values. By contrast, woven bags stored inside or outside side by side with PICS bags showed several-fold increases in insects present in or on the grain and significant losses in grain weight. Grain stored inside in PICS bags showed no reduction in germination versus the initial value but there was a small but significant drop in germination of grain in PICS bags held outside (7.6%). Germination rates dropped substantially more in grain stored in woven bags inside (16.1%) and still more in woven bags stored outside (60%). PICS bags held inside and outside retained their ability to maintain internal reduced levels of oxygen and elevated levels of carbon dioxide. Exposure to extreme environmental conditions degraded the external polypropylene outer layer of the PICS triple-layer bag. Even so, the internal layers of polyethylene were more slowly degraded. The effects of exposure to sunlight, temperature and humidity variation within the sealed bags are described.

Development and Evaluation of a Low-Cost Probe-Type Instrument to Measure the Equilibrium Moisture Content of Grain

Abstract. Storage of grain in bags is common in Africa, Asia, and many other less developed countries making a bag probing method well-suited for moisture content (MC) measurement. A low-cost meter was developed under a USAID project to reduce post-harvest loss (PHL). The meter, referred to as the PHL meter, measures the MC of maize and other grains based on relative humidity (RH) and temperature (T) measurements obtained by a small digital sensor located in the tip of a tubular probe that can be inserted into bags of grain or other grain bulks. Measurements are used by equilibrium moisture content (EMC) equations programmed into the meter to predict MC. A handheld reader connected to the probe provides a user interface. Keywords: Equilibrium moisture content, Grain storage, Maize, Moisture content, Moisture meter, Post-harvest

Post-harvest technology transfer to reduce on farm grain losses in Kitui district, Kenya

Training and demonstrations on post harvest technology transfer to reduce grain losses at farm level were conducted in five divisions of Kitui district with the overall objective of consolidating what the farmers already knew about storage. It was also to assist them select appropriate storage methods with emphasis on proper application of pest control products. A total of 163 participants were trained in storage pest management covering pest infestation cycle, use of chemical and non-chemical methods of control, storage practices and identification of major pests using specimen and pictures, dangers of mycotoxins on maize followed by on demonstrations. Farmers demonstrated traditional practices of determining grain moisture content, and shovel mixing, both on the tarpaulin and wheelbarrows. Sticks were other tools used to mix chemical dust with grain on tarpaulins and in the bags. The research team from Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) demonstrated proper use of the shovel and the “fuffle”, a device that is faster and more efficient in mixing grain with chemical dusts. Treated grain and a control were stored on site in 90-kg bags. Evaluation, based on the level of damage and live infestation was done after 3 months. Despite anomalies like lack of uniformity of grain in different bags depending on source, KARI methods appeared better than farmers’ methods in most instances. Farmers were able to make informed decisions based on the mixing methods which gave better results. The fuffle was an effective tool for mixing grain with chemical dusts and farmers were keen to have it fabricated by local artisans. Farmers appreciated the training and demonstration and promised to adopt proper grain preservation techniques as demonstrated to improve grain quality. Keywords : Post harvest, Technology transfer, Grain losses, Farmers

Production of thermotolerant entomopathogenic fungal conidia on millet grain

Thermotolerance of entomopathogenic (insect-killing) fungi should be seriously considered before industrialization. This work describes the feasibility of millet grain as a substrate for production of thermotolerant Beauveria bassiana (Bb) GHA and ERL1170 and Metarhizium anisopliae (Ma) ERL1171 and ERL1540 conidia. First, conidial suspensions of the Bb isolates, produced on millet grain in polyethylene bags, were exposed to five temperatures (43-47 °C) at 15-min intervals for up to 120 min (experiment I). Agar-based quarter-strength (¼) Sabouraud dextrose agar supplemented with yeast extract (SDAY) and whey permeate media served as controls. Millet-grain-based culture was superior in producing the most thermotolerant Bb conidia, followed by whey permeate agar and ¼SDAY-based cultures. Secondly, to compare the thermotolerance of conidia produced at the same conditions, the Bb isolates were then produced on agar-based millet powder medium, with ¼SDAY and whey permeate agar media as controls, and the two Ma isolates were added (experiment II). They were then exposed to the same temperatures as above. More thermotolerant Bb and Ma conidia were produced on millet powder agar than on whey permeate agar and ¼SDAY overall. These results suggest that millet grain can be used as a substrate to produce thermotolerant conidia in a mass production system.

Qualidade de grãos de milho armazenados em silos bolsa

A utilização de bolsas seladas hermeticamente é uma alternativa aos métodos tradicionais de armazenagem de grãos em nível de fazenda. Em vista disso, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a qualidade de milho armazenado hermeticamente em silos bolsa. O produto, com teores de água de 14,5 e 18,0% b.u, foi acondicionado em mini-bolsas devidamente seladas nas temperaturas de 25; 30 e 35 ºC. Foram realizadas análises de teor de água, de classificação dos grãos, de massa específica aparente, de percentual de germinação e de condutividade elétrica, no início do armazenamento e após 30; 60; 90; 135 e 180 dias. Verificou-se que não houve variação do teor de água dos grãos de milho armazenados nos silos bolsa. Os grãos de milho foram classificados como Tipo 1 ao longo do período de armazenamento, exceto para os com 18,0% (b.u.) de teor de água na temperatura de 35 ºC. Não houve decréscimo significativo da massa especifica aparente do produto ao longo do armazenamento. Em geral, ocorreu decréscimo do percentual de germinação dos grãos de milho armazenados úmidos e secos e acréscimo da condutividade elétrica da solução que continha os grãos, exceto para os armazenados com 14,5% nas temperaturas de 25 e 30 ºC. Conclui-se que é possível armazenar milho em silos bolsa, durante 180 dias, grãos com teor de água de 14,5% (b.u.) nas temperaturas de 25; 30 e 35 ºC e grãos com teor de água de 18,0% por 180 dias nas temperaturas de 25 e 30 ºC.

Control of Larvae of Antitrogus consanguineus (Blackburn) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) by Injection of Metarhizium anisopliae Conidia into Soil

ABSTRACT Metarhizium anisopliae strain EF173 grown on 2 kg lots of wheat grain in autoclave bags yielded 3.99 × 1013 conidia per bag. an aqueous suspension of conidia was injected into the soil around sugarcane plants infested with southern one‐year canegrub Antitrogus consanguineus at the rate of 7.5 × 1010 conidia per plant. the number of larvae decreased 42% by 64 d post‐treatment. 49% of the surviving larvae died from M. anisopliae after an additional 25‐d incubation period in the laboratory. In another trial, a higher dose of 3.75 × 1011 conidia per plant was applied, yet there was no significant reduction in larval numbers 42 d post‐treatment. However, 59% of live larvae removed from treated plots and held in the laboratory died from M. anisopliae infection within 25 d. Injection of liquid formulations of M. anisopliae conidia has considerable potential for use in the control of canegrubs; the greatest constraint is the long time to achieve significant mortality.

MOISTURE ADSORPTION OF BAGGED GRAIN UNDER TROPICAL CONDITIONS

ABSTRACT Moisture adsorption by dry corn and rice in jute and woven polypropylene bags was studied. After 90 days of storage at 90% relative humidity and 26.7** C, the moisture content at the surface of a stack of bags of shelled com (14% initial moisture content) increased to about 15.8% and 15.5% in jute and polypropylene bags, respectively. For rough rice (12% initial moisture content), the corresponding moistures were about 13.4% and 13.3%. Grain in jute bags adsorbed moisture more readily than grain in polypropylene bags.

Scarabeid larvae control in sugarcane using Metarhizium anisopliae

Sugarcane white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabeidae) account for 75% of all insect pest losses to sugarcane in Australia. They damage roots causing lodging, reduced plant growth, and death of the cane plant. From the 10-12 major economic white grub species in Queensland, Antitrogus par&us is important in the Bundaberg-Isis districts. Both Mocap and SuSCon, the two insecticides used generally for white grub control, are less effective against A. parvulus than against other species, mainly because of the high (53-74%) clay content of the soil. Damage by A. parvulus occurs mostly in the second (final) year of the life cycle, with major impact from the third instar between September and February. Wild-type isolates of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae were found to be highly pathogenic in the laboratory toward A. parvulus and other white grub species (K. D. Z. Samuels, D. E. Pinnock, N. E. Featherstone, and R. M. Bull, unpublished). A field trial was established to monitor the effect of field conditions on M. anisopliae spore applications and to assess crop protection potential. We report here significant field control of A. parvulus following M. anisopliae spore applications. Spores of M. anisopliue strain WF2X isolated from Lepidiota negatoria (Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) from Bundaberg, Australia, were mass produced on wheat, rice, or maize. Two-kilogram batches of sterile grain in autoclavable bags were each inoculated with 0.5 liter of a 5-day-old liquid culture of WF2X, and through which sterile air was passed for up to 1 month until heavily sporulated. The resultant culture on grain was applied to lOOto 125-mm-deep furrows along each side of the row of 6month-old first ratoon sugarcane var. CP44-101, then the soil was replaced. Doses of the unprocessed culture on grain were applied on 4 March 1986 at 1 x 10” spores/ha to 15-m-long plots of three cane rows each, set out in two 45-m columns (three treatments per column) separated by a three-row untreated control. Four replicates constituted culture on rice (A-D) with one each on wheat (E) and maize (F). Differences between means were tested by Student’s t test while goodness of tit was tested by x2 analysis, as indicated in the tables. Immediately prior to treatment, a series of 10 cane stools (45 x 45 x 30 cm deep) were dug by spade at random across the trial area and a population of 20 (2 10) larvae found beneath each. All three instars were found in approximately equal numbers. Soil samples were collected on eight occasions to October 1988 to monitor spore survival, while A. parvulus populations were periodically assessed from live 300mm cubes of soil dug from each plot (Table 1). No visible effect on crop vigor was detected in the first or second ratoon, despite A. parvulus larvae being present, with yields for both years of 90 tonnes cane/ha. The young third ratoon exhibited strong growth responses in the treated plots, while the untreated had retarded growth and yellow foliage (Table 2). Population assessment confirmed all treated plots (except C) had lower numbers of A. parvulus larvae by December 1987, with a number of infected cadavers being recorded prior to this during 1987 (Table 1). Treatment C inoculum was contaminated by a Penicillium sp. at application, which may have initially affected infectivity of the M. anisopliae spores. However, by March 1988, 3.88 x lo5 M. anisopliae spores/g soil were recorded in this plot. Two infected cadavers were found in

Loss of starch and fibre of whole grain in nylon bags suspended in the rumen of steers

Several investigations (Shaw & Norton, 1906; Darnell & Copeland, 1936; Kimberley, 1976) have reported no appreciable loss of nutrients of unbroken grain voided by cattle. Although the chemical composition of voided whole grain may be similar to the grain as fed, losses in grain dry matter ranging from 10 to 26% for cereal grains passing through the alimentary tract of steers have been measured (Toland, 1976, 1978a, 6). In one of these studies (Toland, 19786) the disappearance of grain dry matter of whole oats and wheat in nylon bags suspended in the rumen for 48 h was approximately 20 and 35 % respectively. Further analyses of this dry matter remaining in the nylon bags for 48 and 96 h of incubation would indicate which components of the grain were being broken down in rumen fermentation. This report provides information on the differential loss of the fibre and starch components of the grain dry matter from incubation in nylon bags for the two varieties each of oats and wheat and for an additional cereal grain, triticale.

Tyroglyphid mites in stored products. Nature and amount of damage to wheat

The paper describes experiments and observations on the damage done by mites to stored grain, and methods of assessing the damage. It is confirmed that mites cannot penetrate grains if the grain‐coat is intact; but usually less than 10% of the grains are so intact.In laboratory experiments, mites consumed up to 3% by weight of the grain before dying out; they were able to destroy the germ completely, but consumed very little of the remainder; the maximum rate of consumption observed over a 5‐week period was 0‐29% of grain weight per week; when added to grain at 75% relative humidity in the proportion of 1% by weight, mites consumed 1% of the grain in 27 days at 21d̀ C, or in 37 days at 10‐15d̀ C. Although mites consumed the grain more rapidly at higher temperatures or humidities, they survived longer at lower temperatures or humidities, and finally did more damage. Mites consumed wheat germ flakes more rapidly than grain, and finally reduced its weight by 74‐85%.A system of symbols to represent degrees of damage to grain by mites, assessed visually, is presented, and approximate values for the equivalent weight losses are given. The relationship between the product, no. of mites per 100 ex. grain × time in weeks, and the degree of damage to grain, was calculated from experimental data; the damage done per unit of this density × time product was 2‐2‐5 times higher at 25 than at 5‐9d̀ C, and about 1‐4 times higher at 70 than at 90% relative humidity. The mean density × time value corresponding to 1% loss of grain weight was 526,000 at 250 C, and 1,765,000 at 5‐9d̀ C.Data from granary investigations show the degree of damage associated with various levels of population density and grain moisture. In infested storages, the amount of embryo material destroyed ranged from less than 1% of the total (bulk grain) to about 15% (grain in bags).Mites may cause a rise in the temperature or moisture‐content of grain, or an increase in the growth of microorganisms; but there is no evidence to suggest that serious damage from these causes is likely except that dense infestations can cause heating.