Fill It Full: A Simple Way to Reduce Weevil Damage in Maize Seed Stored in Airtight Containers

Postharvest losses inflicted by insect pests in stored grains represent major challenge smallholder farmers face in the global South. The maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) is one of the most important postharvest pests in maize. With dry maize stored in woven polypropylene bags, Likhayo et al. (2018) found that insect pests (maize weevils and another maize pest called the lesser grain borer [Prostephanus truncatus]) reduced grain weight by 36%. Such losses threaten farmers’ food security and overall financial stability.

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