Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0983
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0983
+44 1478 350008
Jacob P Anankware, Obeng-Ofori D, Afreh –Nuamah K, Fatunbi A Oluwole and Martin Bonu-Ire
Studies were carried out under laboratory conditions of 32 ± 2°C and 58-88% r.h. to determine the effectiveness of the triple-layer hermetic bag against the Larger Grain Borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) and the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Mot) on stored maize. Three storage bags (Triple-layer hermetic bag, Jute and Polypropylene) and three maize varieties (Obatanpa, Abrodenkye and Kamangkpong) widely cultivated in Ghana were used in the study. A factorial experiment was conducted involving 5 kg of each maize variety with moisture content between 12.5-14%. These were stored in the various bags and a destructive sampling of 54 bags (27 bags for each insect species) was done each month for a 6 month storage period. Percentage damage, weight loss and mean development periods of insect numbers were determined. Mean grain damage and weight loss were significantly different (p<0.001) in the different storage bags. The triple-layer hermetic bag recorded the least mean weight loss of 2.94% while jute and polypropylene bags recorded higher mean values of 19.55% and 23.65% respectively. Prostephanus truncatus caused the highest mean weight loss of 17.19% while S. zeamais caused 10.57%. The high yielding improved variety (Obatanpa) was the most susceptible with a mean weight loss of 16.75% whiles Kamangkpong recorded the least susceptibility to both insect species with a mean weight loss of 11.09%. Abrodenkye recorded 13.55% weight loss. Moisture content and insect numbers were significantly different (p<0.001) in the various bags. It is therefore recommended that the triple-layer hermetic bag should be used for quality preservation of maize.