Abstract:
The study to compare the effectiveness of two brands of hermetic bags in suppressing maize
weevils was carried out at the Crop Science lab at SUA for duration of 180 days. The experiment
comprised of three treatments: two brands of hermetic bags PICS, AgroZ, and PP bags. The
treatments were arranged in completely randomized design, each replicated three times. Each
treatment was artificially infested with maize weevils prior to the experiment set up. Insect
count, moisture content, grain damage, weight loss and germination potential were determined.
The AgroZ brand recorded lowest weight loss and grain damage mean values of 0.6 and 1.35%
respectively. The PICS bag recorded weight loss and grain damage mean values of 0.8 and
0.93% respectively. After 180 days of storage no live insects were found in the maize grain kept
in hermetic bags. No significant difference was observed in the effectiveness of hermetic bags.
Interwoven polypropylene bags, on the other hand, had the highest weight loss and grain damage
mean values of 8.28 and 24.64%, respectively, as a result of maize weevils. Insect count and
germination were significantly different (P<0.05) in various treatments. Further research is
recommended to be extended into exploration of the re-usability of the locally manufactured
hermetic bags. |
