Effects Of Temperature On The Effectiveness Of The Triple Layer Hermetic Bag Against The Larger Grain Borer Prostephanus Truncatus (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) And Maize Weevil Sitophilus Zeama

ABSTRACT

The study examined the effect of temperature on the effectiveness of the triple-layer hermetic bag in controlling P. truncatus and S. zeamais damaging maize in the store and how the temperature affects the tensile strength of the polyethene material used. The specific objectives include the determination of the moisture content, oxygen depletion rate and seed viability of the maize. Five (5) kilogrammes of local maize variety (Abrodenkye) with the initial moisture content of 14.6% was used for the experiment to fill each experimental storage bag. Two insect species, S. zeamais and P. truncatus were introduced in the bag. Three (3) temperature conditions (38oC, 18oC and room temperature (27o -32oC)) were used to store the maize in triple layer hermetic storage bag with polypropylene bag as control. Destructive samplings without replacement were conducted every month for the period of six (6) months. Thousand grain mass (TGM) method of weight loss assessment was used to determine the weight loss of the grain monthly. Results showed significant difference (p