Certain Plant Dusts As Stored Grain Protectants Compared To Malathion Dust

Zayed, G. M. M.

Abstract

In this study four plant dusts namely, mustard (Brassica orvensis) seeds, turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizomes, anise (Pimpinella anisum) seeds and black pepper (Piper nigrum) seeds and malathion 1% dust, which included in this study as a standard reference were evaluated as grain protectants against, rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.)., lesser grain borer, Rhizopertha dominica (F.) and red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) which attack wheat grain during storage. The results showed that the mortality percentages increased with the increasing of the concentration and period of exposure. The number of emerged offspring decreased with increasing concentrations. Results also indicted that T. castaneum was less sensitive to the tested plant and malathion dusts (1%) than the other two insect species. All treatments had significant desired effects on the percentages of wheat weight loss and germination of grains compared to malathion dust which has no an effect on the germinated grains but, plant dusts slightly reduced the germination. Consequently, it could be recommended to use the plant dusts in this study especially the highest concentration to protect wheat grains against stored grain insects in this investigation.

Key words

wheat grains against stored, germination of grains, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) , Tribolium castaneum