Abstract:
Maize is a highly important crop in Ethiopia for its food purpose and source of income especially
for the smallholders; there are a lot of factors that deteriorate it under storage condition. Weevils
(Sitophilus zeamais), broken kernel percentage and storage duration are among the factors that
deteriorate maize under storage condition. Although maize is essential crop in most areas of
country, the deterioration indicators like weevil growth development, moisture change, maize
physical damage (maize damaged kernel), weight loss and mycotoxin development are serious
problems under storage condition. 60kg of maize was bought from Amhara Seed Site. An
experiment was designed to determine the effect of maize broken kernels, weevils and storage
duration on deterioration indicators of maize under storage condition. A 0%, 2%, 4% 6% and 8%
broken kernels were used in the experiment. Twenty adult maize weevils were added to each 1kg
maize sample contained in a woven polypropylene bag. A two time storage period, three months
and six months were used to determine weevil infestation level, insect damage kernel, weight loss,
mycotoxin (aflatoxin and ochratoxin) occurrence and moisture change of maize under storage
condition. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three
replications in the grain and seed quality laboratory at the college of Agriculture and
environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University (BDU). Woven polypropylene bag was used for
storing the samples for the experimental period. Data logger was used to monitor the external
temperature and relative humidity of the laboratory. Moisture content of maize was measured by
Agratronix MT-PRO Grain Moisture Tester. Numbers of weevils counted at 3
period. Damaged and undamaged numbers of thousand maize grains counted and weighed by
sensitive balance at end of 3
rd
and 6
th
storage period. Coffee grinder was used to grind sample for
mycotoxin analysis. The highest results determined from effect of broken kernels, weevils and
storage period on weevil development, physical damage, weight loss, aflatoxin and ochratoxin
are 1635***, 83.8***, 48.1014***, 19.74*** and 3.99*** respectively for interaction effect and
moisture change is 14.4% of main effect.
rd
and 6
th
storage