INTRODUCTION

Maize is one of the most important cereal grains grown worldwide

and it is the basis for a significant portion of Sub-Saharan Africas

diet. The cultivation of maize in Africa has increased, eclipsing

traditional grains like millet and sorghum, but its production is still

constrained by a number of factors. Insect pests of stored maize

like Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) are capable of inflicting

serious damage to it after harvest, resulting in 2050% loss after

36 months and even total loss under worst-case conditions.

Prevention of pests is important as losses during storage reduce

food availability, quality, and the stability of farmers food supply

and income. Options to prevent insect damage are fewer for

smallholder farmers in Africa than for their counterparts elsewhere.

Synthetic pesticides are expensive, may not be available in the

market regularly, and may be illegally blended with other

compounds. Even when applied properly, damage can occur and

the need to repeatedly apply chemical agents increases the chance

of human or environmental toxicity. Synthetic pesticides are a non-

preferred option for most smallholder farmers seeking to control

grain pests.

The Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bag has proven to be

an effective alternative to chemical pesticides for stored grain. This

bag uses two liners of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and an

outer layer composed of woven polypropylene. Together, they

create low-oxygen environments that reduce insect development.

As much as 98% of all insect pests can be eliminated within just 1

month of storage, reducing damage and weight loss caused by

feeding.

Hermetic storage is the process of storing grain or seeds inside

sealed compartments to avoid gas changes with the environment

in order to deplete the oxygen and accumulation of dioxide carbon

gas. This combination is lethal to insects and molds, creating an

alternative control instead of using any other substance nocive to

these pests and maintaining the product quality. This storage

method is an important aspect for enhancing and elongating grain

life at the same time maintaining the grain integrity. Hermetic

storage has been around for a long times and it has been received
well and largely in developing countries since the inception of the

method. The method can exercised using different materials such

as sealed clay pots, sealed plastic bags, sealed metals etc. These

materials are effective in their own right and cost are variable

therefore caution need to be practiced to preclude insects

infestation during storage time. The process is of utmost

importance. Ideally a successful hermetic storage would mean

grains are able to retain all their nutrient quality and crushable

commodities are well kept for the entire process of storage.

Hypothetically, if ninety five percent (95%) of the grain retains

their natural characteristic and quality, therefore, statistically

hermetic grain storage would mean its efficient and effective

method. Nonetheless, the method is used worldwide in Africa, Asia

and majority parts of America. The scale of acceptance of this

method assure its quality in preserving small and large scale

farmers crops. Developing countries are relentless and do not want

to be left behind, there are enthusiastically adopting the method in

large scales as they have seen the benefits of using this storage

process. Benefits of using the hermetic storage method include (i)

enhances grain life in a much safer and it is rodent-free, weevils-

free, pesticides-free and prevents infestation of insects, (ii) the

storage process is defiant and resistant to harsh conditions (with

the exception of extremely harsh conditions i.e. temperature 0 to

-20 degrees Celsius, being unfavorable for oil palm seeds storage

[2] such as hot and humid climates, (iii) the mortality of living

organisms is kept at 100 percent rate, (iv) precludes mold from

developing and (v) mycotoxins which have a high likelihood to

cause cancer are totally annihilated. Prior to hermetic storage,

grain need to be properly dried to moisture content range of

approximately 12 14 percent to avoid germination and viability

losses. Germination and viability are crucial for crop productions

and if losses are encountered then it would mean a loss in profits.

HARVESTING OF MAIZE

Harvesting whether or not by hand on a small scale or by medium

to large combine harvesters must be done at an ideal stage after

physiological maturity is reached and ideal moisture content.

Commercial scale farmers with access to their own drying

equipment can harvest before the recommended ideal storable

moisture content is reached while the crop is on the lands. This

reduces the possibility of crop damage from hail, too much rain,

shatter losses, insects, mould, birds and rodents.

Please make sure you know what factors to look for in each crop

mentioned above that determines the final physical maturity stage

prior to harvesting.

Small scale farmers will harvest by hand and be able to sort, sieve,

and clean their crops carefully before storing by hand while the

modern mechanical combine will be able to produce a very clean

sample that can be delivered to a commercial silo to be further

cleaned, dried if required, classed and then stored.

Be familiar with the quality of seed required that will fall into a

commercially accepted standard if you intention is to sell any of

your crop that will surplus to your needs as a small family farming

business.
HISTORY OF MAIZE STORAGE

Underground grain storage was one of the main methods to

preserve cereal early in the nineteenth century through some

southeast European and Asiatic societies using airtight

underground silos as an alternative for big bottle and jars that was

used in the Mediterranean. Writing evidence appeared only in the

16th century. By the 1800s, detailed descriptions of the

underground silos were made by knowledgeable agricultural

writers of Western Europe. They highlighted the airtightness as a

major factor to maintain grain quality although some reports

observed that some seeds lost germination power. Early

researches with airtight storage were made from 1819 to 1830,

where a French industrialist named Ternaux at Saint-Ouen stored

grain in 9 series of experiment in large scale in general. Ternaux`s

stored the product under not so favorable circumstances. The silos

were dug into a wet alluvium and the material was stored without

caring about the humidity. After several years, only spots of mold

was encountered inside the silos, especially in critical areas as the

walls, roof, and bottom of the structure. Bread was made with the
remaining unspoiled grain but the taste of it was not satisfying,

thus, the experiment was considered a failure. However, this can

be considered as one of the first made scientific research involving

hermetic storage.

MAIZE STORAGE METHODS

a) Traditional drying/storage systems

Many farmers continue to store their produce in the drying place.

Often the root or the eaves are still full with maize even after the

produce has dried. Such practices are not correct grain storage

techniques. In order to dry grain warm, dry moving air is required.

However we have seen that in storage grain should be cool, not

warm. Furthermore, if the drying air can pass around the grain

kernels, then insects and rats can enter as well. Therefore it is best

to transfer the clean, dry grain to a cool, dry place where rats and

insects cannot follow. It is now time to look at some grain storage

models which have been recommended for tropical farmers.

b) Drying Cribs

Many agricultural books say that the drying crib can also be used

for a storage barn. However, as we have seen in the above section,

it is too dangerous to leave the grain exposed to insects, birds, and

other pests. After the grain is dry it should be moved to a better

storage place.

c) Bag Storage

This is a very popular form of storage. Transportation of the grain

is done in the same jute bag, the bags are easy to handle and the

jute bag allows you to store different grains in the same room. The

following principles should be kept:

- The storage room should be clean and free of all insects. Holes

should be repaired.

- All old bags should be washed, shook out, and placed in the sun

to dry to drive away any insects still in the sack.

- The bags of produce should be neatly stacked on wooden racks

called dunnages away from the walls and off the floor. Grain bags

should never lie on the floor or rest against the wall (see the Figure
below). Water from the floor and ground can enter into the bags

and cause spoilage.

- The bags should be regularly checked for any problems.

Sacks should never rest directly on the ground or against walls

The main disadvantage of jute bag storage is that the bag does not

provide protection against rat or insect attack. Other measures

must be taken to control these pests.

d) Bamboo Boxes

The box is constructed entirely of raffia bamboo sticks and bamboo

rope (see the Figure below). The floor of the box is raised off the

ground so that water cannot rise up from the ground and enter the

box. The bottom of the walls are often packed with mud soil to

discourage rats. The box has either a zinc/grass roof or is placed

under the eaves of the house to keep the rain off the box.

Once the grain is well dried and cleaned it is placed in the box and

a tight fitting bamboo cover closes the box. An average box is one

meter long, one meter high and one meter wide - it can hold more
than 300 kilos of maize on the cob. A well constructed box can last

for more than 5 years.

Once it is well closed insects and rats cannot enter the box.

However, the grain must be checked regularly for an increase in

insect population 'from the eggs and insects which were carried in

with the maize from the drying place. Inside the box it will be dry,

cool, and dark. The box should be well cleaned at the beginning

and end of each storage season. To use insecticide with this

method of storage see Section 7.2.

e) Drums (Air Tight Storage)

A very good, but more expensive method is to use old oil drums.

The drums should be well cleaned. All holes should be repaired and

sealed properly with sodden.

Only very dry grain can be placed inside the drum; if it is too wet

the moisture cannot come out and the grain can spoil. Once the

dry grain is inside, the drum mouth should be sealed with wax or

grease to stop air from entering. Very soon any insects inside
should stop breathing and die because all the air is finished. Care

must be taken to make certain that the drum is well sealed.

Finally, it is also very important to keep the drum out of the sun,

in a cool place. Otherwise the hot sun hitting the metal drum will

make the grain very hot. The grain will sweat and respirate faster.

This also can cause spoilage. Therefore, always keep the drum

under a shelter. An oil drum can hold almost 300 kilos of maize.

f) Others

Baskets, tins, and empty calabashes can also be used to store

grain. Just ensure that the grains and the containers are clean and

free of insects. Keep the container in a clean, cool, dry place.

Baskets, tins' end calabashes are small and are ideal for seed

storage. However, for large amounts of grain bigger containers are

needed.

STORAGE AND STORAGE FACILITIES

The success of any method of storage whether on an open shed

floor under roof, outside under a sail, in a container or

sophisticated concrete or steel silo equipped with air circulation

fans depends on the moisture content of the grain, prevailing

ambient temperature and level of humidity in the surrounding air.

Remember that stored, the grains are alive and although they go

through a period of dormancy will start to germinate when re-

wetted by rain or by absorbing moisture from the air when the

humidity is over 70%. It is quite a task for the smaller farmer in

the high humidity in the coastal areas to maintain grain in storage

without spoilage due to fungus, other pathogenic organisms and

insects.

The biologically active grains respire during storage and produce

heat and moisture. It is very important to be able to move and

remix a crop by hand even when placed in bulk on a shed floor.

Proper silos are designed with mechanised augers, continuous flow

driers, elevators and fans to enable seed mixing and airflow

management to bring the crop into the safe zones for long term

storage.
INSECTS IN STORED MAIZE

Insects in stored grain can cause much damage. The farmer may

lose up to a third of the stored grain. It is therefore important to

know exactly how and where to store grain.

If you eat the insects in stored grain, it does not necessarily mean

that you will become ill, but you can lose a lot of money if you want

to sell the grain. Sometimes grain containing insects can become

mouldy and mildew is poisonous. If you eat meal with mildew you

may die.

Insects

Adult insects, such as beetles, and larvae or worms cause serious

damage to stored grain products. Many different insects infest

grain. Some of them are very small and are not seen easily.

Indian meal moth

Indian meal moth larva

Tropical warehouse moth

Tropical warehouse moth larva

 Saw-toothed beetle

Flat grain beetle

Lesser grain borer

Rice weevil

Grain weevil

Confused flour beetle

Grain mites

INSECT CONTROL IN STORED MAIZE

Insects can be controlled naturally by doing one of the following:

Pick dry leaves from the lower part of the cat's tail aloe (Aloe

castanea), burn the leaves in the veld and mix the ashes with

the grain

Grind dry maize leaves and mix them with the grain

Mix the grain with wood ash

Mix fine, dry clay with the grain.

Mix the ash or fine, dry clay with the grain before it is stored. The

ash and clay come into contact with the insects when they crawl

around in the grain.

The wax layer on the insects is rubbed off and they die because

they lose moisture. The powder (of ash and fine soil) fills the small

holes in the grain and prevents insect damage.

Before the grain is used, the clay or ash can be removed by

washing or sieving.
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