Quantitative losses in the various kernel fractions due to khapra beetle Trogoderma granarium everts in stored maize.

摘要

A study was conducted to asses the losses caused by khapra beetle (T. granarium) in different fractions (pericarp, embryo and endosperm) of grains of 16 maize cultivars (Amber popcorn, Win popcorn, AEB(Y), Ageti-76, Prabhat, Surya, D 765, Dhawal, Trishulata, BH 1527, DHMDHM-103, Ashwini, Madhuri, Basi local, LM-5 and NLD composite). The maximum percentage loss caused by khapra beetle was recorded in the embryo fraction of all cultivars, except for Basi local, followed by pericarp and endosperm fractions. Madhuri had the highest percentage loss in all fractions. Differential feeding of khapra beetle was dependent to some extent on the cultivars. Loss of seed on dry weight basis was maximum in Madhuri, followed by Basi local and NLD composite, hence placed in the most susceptible group. The percentage losses ranged from 10.31 (Prabhat) to 78.07 (Madhuri) in embryo, 2.84 (Ageti-76) to 67.32 (Madhuri) in endosperm and 1.27 (Prabhat) to 62.14 (Madhuri) in pericarp. This further proves that khapra beetle is primarily a germ feeder, thus causing great loss to nutritional value of stored maize.