High-density polyethylene containers and super grain bag reduce storage insect pests infestation in maize and preserve grain quality

The study evaluated the performance of polypropylene bag (PP), polyethylene drum (PD), silo tank (PST), and super grain (SGB) on preserving maize quality. trials were conducted on-station on-farm. Insect density, damage, weight loss, moisture content determined monthly for six months trials. For on-farm, insect density damage assessed every two eight months, acceptability test was performed after storage period. initial 26 insects/kg (natural infestation), percentage damaged 1.6%. After stored in PP, increased by 31-fold, whereas 10-fold, resulting a 31-fold increase loss. In contrast, did not significantly SGB, PD, PST over storage. Grain SGB presented highest acceptability, while PP considered unfit human consumption. on-farm confirmed effectiveness PD minimizing insects’ multiplication making them suitable reducing losses during long-term under smallholder farmers’ conditions. Key words: hermetic storage, pests, sensory evaluation.