Use of the Triple-Layer Hermetic Bag against the Maize Weevil, Sitophilus Zeamais (Mots) in Three Varieties of Maize

Maize ranks with wheat and rice as one of the world’s chief grain crops. However, the safety of this important food crop is threatened by pests such as insects, rodents and moulds which results from inappropriate storage methods. Insect pest infestation accounts for about 20-50% of all food crop losses. This study was carried under ambient laboratory conditions of 32± 2oC and 72-88% r.h to determine the effectiveness of the triple-layer hermetic bag in controlling the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Mot) on three varieties of maize (Obatampa, Abrodenkye and Kamangkpong). Five (5) kilograms of each variety with three replicates were infested with 50 S. zeamais and stored for three (3) months in three different types of bags (hermetic, Polypropylene and Jute). Destructive sampling was done monthly to determine the moisture content, viability of each variety and weight loss after storage. Percentage damage of grain due to S. zeamais was assessed on the different types of storage bags. The results show that the high yielding Obatampa was more susceptible to S. zeamais than the two local varieties; Abrodenkye and Kamangkpong. Damage, weight loss and germination rates were significantly (p higher in the polypropylene and jute bags than the hermetic bags. These were also dependent on the length of storage. The triple-layer hermetic bags were effective against S. zeamais and could be used for storage of maize. Keywords: Maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais; Triple-layer hermetic bag; Polypropylene; Jute