Original scientific paper

Grain Surface-Layer Treatment of Diatomaceous Earth for Insect Control

Zlatko Korunić
Andrew Mackay

Abstract

This paper describes an alternative method to synthetic insecticides used for protection of stored agricultural products the purpose of which is to minimise the everyday human exposure to those chemicals. The method uses diatomaceous earth which is practically non-toxic to humans and fully acceptable for the environment. Fifty and 100-cmdeep layers of Hard Red Spring wheat Triticum aestivum (L.) in metal containers (cylinders), 30 cm in diameter and 150 cm in height were treated with 0.5 and 0.75 g of diatomaceous earth Protect-It® per kg of wheat. The treatment reduced the population of Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) by 98 to 100% with respect to controls. The conclusion is that a 100-cm-surface layer treated with 0.5 g/kg of Protect-It® is sufficient to control these insects, and that no more than 20% of the total grain mass should be treated to minimise bulk density reduction. A field test using a similar design is essential to confirm the laboratory findings.

Keywords

bulk density; grain insects; inert dust; non-chemical control

Hrčak ID:

881

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/881

Publication date:

29.9.2000.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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