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Trials on the Underground Storage of Maize of high Moisture Content in Tanganyika

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

G. Swaine
G. Swaine
Affiliation:
Entomologist, Department of Agriculture, Tanganyika.
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Summary

Trials were carried out, at two places in Tanganyika, on the underground storage in sealed pits of maize of high moisture content. The average moisture content of the maize when placed in the two pits was 16·9 and 14·8 per cent., whilst the general level of insect infestation was very light and fairly light, respectively. The predominant species was Calandra oryzae (L.); Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) and Tribolium castaneum (Hbst.) were also present.

The maize was kept in the sealed pits for 144 and 374 days, respectively. Samples taken at intervals showed that the insect infestation died out early, and there was no increase in insect damage. Other changes, unconnected with insect infestation, took place, and conditioning and admixture of a more palatable maize was necessary before grain from the pits could be offered to the public.

It is concluded that long-term underground storage of maize of high moisture content is not a practical proposition under tropical conditions owing to the deterioration that occurs in the grain.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 48 , Issue 2 , June 1957 , pp. 397 - 407
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1957

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