Combined Effect of Hermetic Bag and Insect Resistant Variety for the Control of Larger Grain Borer and Maize Weevil in Stored Maize

Combined effect of hermetic bag and varietal resistance was studied for control of Prostephanus truncatus and Sitophilus zeamais. Two maize varieties resistant (CKPH08028) and susceptible (PH3253) were used in combination with SuperGrain bag II-, PICS bag, Smartbag -1, Polypropylene bag and Actellic super dust. A mean of 5.2 % Carbon dioxide for both PICS and SuperGrain II- bags and 2.6 % for Smartbag -1 were recorded. PICS and SuperGrain II- bags suppressed insect population, prevented grain loss and cross - infestation of insects from the surrounding environment. Grain weight losses were 0.3 % in the PICS and 0.9 % in the SuperGrain IV-R- bags compared to 23.9 % in the polypropylene bags, 180 days after storage. No grain protection benefits were gained when either insect resistant (CKPH08028) or susceptible (PH5253) maize grains were stored in PICS or SuperGrain II- bags (less than5 % damage and less than1 % weight loss). Synergistic benefits in protection were gained when the weight loss of CKPH08028 grains stored in either PICS or SuperGrain II- bags were compared to that of the same variety stored in the polypropylene bags. Admixture of maize grain with Actellic super dust and storage in polypropylene bag did not prevent infliction of damage (45.6 %) and weight loss (13.6 %) due to insect pests. The novelty of the work is demonstrated in the potential use of hermetic bags in combination with insect resistant maize technologies to significantly reduce weight loss from 30 % to less than 1 % without use of pesticide. This would improve food security at household level. The findings of this study would support agricultural policy formulation and monitoring of loss reduction activities.