Lêda Rita D’Antonino Faroni

Spread of phosphine resistance among brazilian populations of three species of stored product insects

The resistance to fumigant insecticides in stored-products insects is often recorded. Several factors influence the evolution of insecticide resistance. Among these, the frequency of applications and the migration of resistant populations are of primary importance for the stored-product insects. The aim of this study was to characterize the spectrum and investigate the status of phosphine resistance in Brazil, in 13 populations of the Coleoptera Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Tenebrionidae), ten populations of Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabr.) (Bostrichidae), and eight populations of Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Silvanidae). The pattern of resistance dispersion in the populations of these species was also verified. The bioassays for the detection of phosphine resistance followed the FAO standard method. To test the influence of migration in the evolution of the phosphine resistance, the difference of mortality in the discriminating concentration and the geographical distance among each pair wise combination of collection sites were correlated. None of the populations exhibited mortality above 90% in the discriminating concentration, for the three species. Mortality in the discriminating concentration increased with the geographical distance for R.dominica and O.surinamensis. However, no significant linear response was observed among the variables for T.castaneum populations. These results suggest that the dispersion of insects and the local selection are relevant in the evolution of the phosphine resistance in populations of R.dominica and O.surinamensis. In contrast, grain trade and local selection are probably the factors that determine the evolution of the phosphine resistance in populations of T. castaneum.

Qualidade dos grãos de soja armazenados em diferentes condições

This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of soy bean grains stored under different conditions. The grains were harvested with moisture content (m. c.) of about 18.0% w.b. and dried to 11.2, 12.8 and 14.8% w.b. To maintain pre-determined m.c., the grains were stored at the following combinations of temperature and relative humidity: for 11.2%: 20 oC and 61.7%; 30 oC and 67.9%; 40 oC and 69.4%; for 12.8%: 20 oC and 73.7%; 30 oC and 76.7%; 40 oC and 80.8%; and for 14.8%: 20 oC and 82.7%; 30 oC and 83.9%; 40 oC and 85.3%. Grains were sampled every 45 days over 180 days in order to determine m.c., grade classification, apparent specific grain mass, grain color and oil content. In general, the grains deteriorated during the storage period but the quality loss was more accentuated when stored with m.c. of 12.8 and 14.8% at 40 oC. The grains stored with m.c. of 14.8% at 30 and 40 oC did not meet commercial standards after 135 and 90 days, respectively. High m.c. and temperature during storage intensify the deteriorative processes of stored soy bean grains.

Effect of the ozonization process on the quality of peanuts and crude oil

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ozone on the quality of peanut grains and crude oil extracted from these grains. Peanut samples of 1 kg were used, with a moisture content of 8.0% w.b. and stored in 3 L glass recipients. The ozonization process utilized ozone gas concentrations of 13 and 21 mg L-1, temperature of 25 °C, exposure periods of 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, and a flow rate of 1.0 L min-1. Evaluation of peanut quality consisted of analysis for moisture content, electrical conductivity, lipid concentration and peanut color. The qualitative parameters of the crude oil evaluated were free fatty acids, peroxide index and iodine index. In general there was no alteration in peanut quality due to ozone, except for the coloration of the peanuts. With regard to parameters related to the crude oil extracted from the peanut, there were no qualitative alterations due to ozone exposure. It was concluded that, despite depigmentation of the skin surrounding the peanuts, the quality of the peanuts and the extracted crude oil is not affected by exposure to ozone gas at concentrations up to 21 mg L-1, for up to 96 h.

Influence of soybean storage conditions on crude oil quality

This study was done to evaluate the quality of crude oil from soybeans stored under different conditions. The grains were harvested at 18% (w.b.) moisture content (m.c.), and after drying to 11.2, 12.8 and 14.8% they were stored at 20, 30 or 40 oC. Changes in free fatty acid (FFA) content, peroxide, iodine and photometric color index of the extracted oil were determined at 45-day intervals for 180-day storage. In general, oil FFA content increased in all the samples, except in grains at 11.2% m.c. and stored at 20 oC. The peroxide and photometric color index increased significantly, independently of storage conditions; however, the increase was more accentuated in oil extracted of stored grains at high m.c. and temperature. It was concluded that crude oil quality is not affected during 6-month storage of soybeans up to 15.0% m.c. (w.b.) at 20 oC, and for storage at 30 oC, the grain moisture up to 13% maintains oil quality within the Brazilian market standards.

Influência da temperatura da massa de grãos sobre a toxicidade do ozônio a Tribolium castaneum

Considering that the grain temperature may influence the exposure time of the fumigants, the present study was carried out to investigate the influence of increasing temperatures of the grain mass (20, 30, 35 and 40 oC) on the exposure time to ozone required to kill 50 and 95% of adult insects of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Maize grains were distributed in cylindrical polyvinyl chloride recipients having connections for gas injection and exhaustion. The insects held in cages were placed at the median height of the grain mass in each recipient, which was then fumigated with ozone at the concentration of 50 ppm. The lethal times (LT50 and LT95) for adult insects of T. castaneum were reduced by increasing grain temperature, from 20 to 30 oC; however, at 35 oC the lethal times were not reduced compared with lower temperatures; but at 40 oC the exposure time decreased again, resulting in lower LT95.

Parasitism by the mite Acarophenax lacunatus on beetle pests of stored products

Recent reports of the biocontrolpotential of the mite species Acarophenaxlacunatus (Cross & Krantz) (Prostigmata:Acarophenacidae) and the lack of biologicalstudies on this regulatory agent led to thepresent study carried out under laboratoryconditions. The objective of the investigationwas to assess the host range of A. lacunatus,so far only reported as egg parasite ofRhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera:Bostrichidae). Four Coleoptera species ofstored cereals were used: R. dominica,Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Tenebrionidae),Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens)(Laemophloeidae) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Cucujidae). The highest rates of eggparasitism were observed on R. dominica and T.castaneum, leading to a significant decrease ofpopulations of both species and reduced wheatweight loss. A. lacunatus was also able toparasitize eggs of C. ferrugineus, but not ofO. surinamensis. These results indicate abroader host range of A. lacunatus thaninitially suspected and also strengthen itspossibility of use in integrated pestmanagement programs in storage environments.

Lethal and sublethal responses of Sitophilus zeamais populations to essential oils

The present study aimed to assess the lethal and sublethal responses of five populations of S. zeamais to the essential oils of Ocimum basilicum and Piper hispidinervum, through toxicity, locomotor behavior (flight and walking activities) and physiological (respiration rate and body mass) evaluations. The populations of S. zeamais were obtained from Machado—MG, Paracatu—MG, Piracicaba—SP, Recife—PE and Tunápolis—SC. To estimate the LC50 of each oil for each population, fumigation tests were performed. The population from Recife exhibited the lowest instantaneous rate of increase (ri) as well the lowest consumption of grain mass. However, Piracicaba was considered the susceptibility pattern, presenting the lowest LC50 for both essential oils, no statistical difference was observed among populations or treatments in the flight activity bioassays. The essential oils effect on walking activity and respiration rates varied among populations. The population from Recife presented the highest walked distance and walk speed, with the lowest resting time and number of stops, as well as the lowest respiration rate and body mass. The present study highlights the importance of the study on population responses, as the five populations of S. zeamais exhibited different patterns of toxic and behavioral effects when subjected to the essential oils of P. hispidinervum and O. basilicum.

Insecticide selectivity to the parasitic mite Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) (Prostigmata: Acarophenacidae) on Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabr.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

The presence of natural enemies in stored grains and the need of pest control alternatives led to the assessment of the effect of insecticides on the mite species Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz), an egg parasite of the stored grain pest Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabr.). The insecticides bifenthrin, deltamethrin, pirimiphos-methyl and fenitrothion were tested at 0.4, 0.5, 0.8 and 10 ppm, respectively. Insecticide treated wheat grains were spread in petri dishes and infested with 25 adults of R. dominica. Seven days later, three mites were added to each dish, in four replicates. The number of adults of R. dominica, grain weight loss and instantaneous rate of increase (ri) of A. lacunatus were lower when the grain was treated with deltamethrin. Bifenthrin, fenitrothion, and pirimiphos-methyl were less effective in controlling the pest, but they were selective in favor of the mite, showed higher number of physogastric females and ri of A. lacunatus. Therefore, deltamethrin was less selective in favor of the mite species. Nonetheless the parasitic mite was able to parasitize eggs of R. dominica on wheat treated with all the insecticides evaluated.

Perda de matéria seca em grãos de milho armazenados em bolsas herméticas

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and loss of dry matter of corn grain stored in airtight bags at different temperatures. To do this, corn grain with an initial moisture content of 14.8 and 17.9% was placed into polyethylene bags which were sealed and stored at temperatures of 15, 25 and 35 °C. For 150 days, at 30-day intervals, the concentrations of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the bags were measured, and grain samples were taken to determine the moisture content, apparent specific dry matter weight, percentage of germination and commercial classification. Dry matter loss was estimated by means of a model obtained as a function of the respiratory rate of the grains. At 150 days, the loss of dry matter of the corn grains with a moisture content of 14.8% when stored, was approximately 3.5 times lower than that of the product with a moisture content of 17.9% when stored. Based on the results of the percentage of germination and apparent specific dry matter weight, the limit of a 0.015% loss in dry matter can be considered as the maximum permissible to maintain the integrity of corn grain in storage in sealed bags. At 150 days, only the corn grain, stored with moisture content of 17.9% and at a temperature of 35 °C, showed a lower classification (Type 2) than at the beginning of the experiment, and this condition coincided with a dry matter loss of 0.037 %.The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and loss of dry matter of corn grain stored in airtight bags at different temperatures. To do this, corn grain with an initial moisture content of 14.8 and 17.9% was placed into polyethylene bags which were sealed and stored at temperatures of 15, 25 and 35 °C. For 150 days, at 30-day intervals, the concentrations of oxygen (O 2 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in the bags were measured, and grain samples were taken to determine the moisture content, apparent specific dry matter weight, percentage of germination and commercial classification. Dry matter loss was estimated by means of a model obtained as a function of the respiratory rate of the grains. At 150 days, the loss of dry matter of the corn grains with a moisture content of 14.8% when stored, was approximately 3.5 times lower than that of the product with a moisture content of 17.9% when stored. Based on the results of the percentage of germination and apparent specific dry matter weight, the limit of a 0.015% loss in dry matter can be considered as the maximum permissible to maintain the integrity of corn grain in storage in sealed bags. At 150 days, only the corn grain, stored with moisture content of 17.9% and at a temperature of 35 °C, showed a lower classification (Type 2) than at the beginning of the experiment, and this condition coincided with a dry matter loss of 0.037 %.

Quality of beans stored under hermetic conditions

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a qualidade de feijao (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), armazenado com diferentes teores de agua, sob condicoes hermeticas. Feijao com teores de agua de 12,3%, 15,7% e 17,8% foram acondicionados em silos tipo bolsa (3 kg), garrafas pet (1,5 L) e recipientes de vidro (3 L), cobertos com organza (controle) e armazenados a temperatura de 25 oC e umidade relativa de 70±5%, por 120 dias. Avaliaram-se o teor de agua, a massa especifica aparente, a condutividade eletrica, a porcentagem de germinacao, o tempo de coccao e a classificacao do feijao, a cada 30 dias. A excecao da condutividade eletrica e do tempo de coccao, as demais caracteristicas foram mantidas por 120 dias no material armazenado com teores de agua de 12,3% e 15,7%, em condicoes hermeticas. No produto armazenado com 17,8%, ocorreu aumento no teor de agua, condutividade eletrica e tempo de coccao, e reducao na massa especifica aparente e na germinacao. No controle, independentemente do teor de agua, o material apresentou acentuada perda de qualidade ao longo do armazenamento. Concluiu-se que e possivel armazenar feijao com teores de agua de 12,3% e 15,7%, com qualidade, por ate 120 dias, em condicoes hermeticas.