ARC Home I SJAR Home I About SJAR I Article Order Info. I Contribution to SJAR

Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

Environmental changes, insect control and reduction of losses in sorghum stored in matmoras (storage pits)

M. E. Hassan Shazali ¹, A.R. EI Had ²,A.M. H.Khalifa³ and M. A. Ahmed¹


Abstract:

Sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) (Moench) was stored for 10 months in matmoras lined with traditional 'butab' layer, polyethylene sheets and polyethylene sheets with a phosphine fumigation treatment. During storage, temperature, oxygen concentrations and grain moisture were monitored remotely at four locations in each matmora every month. Insect species and numbers, percentage dockage, damaged grain, moisture content, germination capacity and dry weight losses were determined at the start and at the end. Mean temperatures, oxygen concentrations, and grain moisture in the butab-lined matmoras were significantly higher than in the plastic-lined matmoras at all locations. Insects were found in all matmoras, but significantly (p<O.OI) higher in the former treatment. For both types of mat moras, most insects were concentrated in the top level samples. Cryptolestes ferruglneus (Stephen) was the dominant species in the butab-lined matmoras, whereas Trlbolium castaneum (Herbst) was dominant in the plastic-lined matmora. Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) was unable to survive in the latter treatment. Fumigation of plastic-lined matmoras with phosphine had no effect on insect populations. Dry weight losses, estimated, by different methods, were significantly (P<0.01) lower in plastic-lined matmoras. The percent germination of seed decreased in both matmora types, but was greater for grain in the 'butab'-lined matmora. These results indicate that polyethylene-lined matmoras are superior for the storage of sorghum.

Keywords:

Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 1(1998) PP. 73-78