Investigation of the control of Sitophilus granarius in stored grain using vacuum packaging and the creation of an anaerobic atmospheric environment

Abstract

The efficacy of vacuum and oxygen absorption-based treatments for controlling Sitophilus granarius L. damage in wheat grains was compared under laboratory conditions. The efficacy of the treatments was evaluated at different temperature ranges (−5, 26, 42 °C) and exposure times (0.5, 1, 3, 6, 24, 48, 72 h). Treatment-survived adult progeny were measured on day 45. Our studies demonstrated that the efficacy of the controlled atmosphere methods (CAs) we tested varied significantly as a function of time. While the mortality curve induced by the different temperature-controlled low-pressure vacuum packaging treatments is logarithmic, the mortality trend induced by the absorber's low oxygen levels follows an exponential slope. The hypoxia induced by low oxygen levels has a much longer duration of action. We have shown that vacuum packaging at lower and higher pessimum temperature ranges other than the thermal optimum of the insect induced significant mortality of S. granarius. The method was particularly effective when vacuum-packed items were kept at a higher pessimum temperature range. Our results confirm that vacuum packaging based on atmospheric modification, especially at elevated temperatures, can be a sustainable solution for pest control of small volume, valuable seed samples.