Location: Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research
Project Number: 3020-43000-034-033-T
Project Type: Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2023
End Date: Aug 31, 2027
Objective:
The objective of this study is to evaluate the use of grain protectants on grain shrink characteristics on during simulated storage in experimental buckets, ground piles, and grain silos.
Approach:
The evaluation of grain protectants will involve three different research experiments. The first experiment will evaluate multiple formulations of grain protectants applied to a grain commodity and artificially infested with stored product insects under controlled environmental conditions. Sub-samples will be taken monthly and evaluated for insect presence and grain quality characteristics. The second experiment will evaluate the use of grain protectants applied to a simulated grain pile storage in a semi-field setting. Grain piles will be assembled and treated with grain protectants and held under field conditions for 3-6 months of storage. Sub-samples will be taken monthly to determine the presence of insects and changes in grain quality characteristics. The third objective will test the use of grain protectants applied to grain being stored in upright grain bins. The grain will be artificially infested after grain is loaded and monitored for a period of up to 12 months of storage. Sub-samples of the grain will be taken monthly using sectioned grain triers, probe traps, and hanging traps to quantify insect activity. Grain samples will be taken and assessed for grain quality characteristics.
