Microwave energy as an alternative control method for stored grain pests

Abstract EN

Chemicals are widely used to kill pests in stored grain even though these affect the environment and the consumers, which make it necessary to seek safer methods of pest management.

As an alternative for traditional chemical methods, microwave radiations are used to kill insects and mites infest stored grains.

Samples of wheat grain were infested with adult insects and larvae of Sitophilus granarius (L.), Sitophilus oryzae (L.) ( Coleoptera:Curculionidae ) and Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) ( Coleoptera : Bostrichidae).

Crushed wheat was used with adult mites, Dermatophagoides farinae Hughes (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) , Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) and Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze and Robin) (Acari: Acaridae).

Wheat kernels were subjected to microwave treatment at three powers; low, medium-low at 6 exposure times and medium at 5 times.

The mortality of pests increased with either power as well as exposure time or both.

R.

dominica and R.

echinopus were more sensitive to microwave radiation where LT50 values were 3.07, 2.067, 1.17 and 1.96 minutes at low and medium-low powers, respectively.

Complete reduction in F1-progeny of all insects was obtained at medium power for 4 min.

of exposure.

D.

farinae was the most tolerant mite to microwave radiation with LT50 values 2.57, 2.47 and 2.22 min.

for the three powers, respectively.

Biochemical analyses of wheat grains at the maximum time at which high mortality was obtained showed no detectable changes in the quality of protein, hardness, moisture and color.

Germination of microwave treated wheat decreased, whereas exposure time, power or both increased.

Managing stored grains requires the use of various techniques to ensure that the quality of the grain entering the storage facility does not deteriorate over time.

Using microwaves opens up a new field to get rid of insects and mites in stored grains without any chemical pollution.