Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience includes scientists studying methods to manage stored grain insects,on-farm grain stoage managers and agribusiness. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Via workshops, popular press articles and appearnaces on community awareness television -"MT AgLIve". What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 2. Greater awarenesss of methods of improving food security is a key target of this research. In particular, information disseminated has made Montana grain storage more reliant on full utilization of climae as a key feature to storage success. Equally important was the increased awareness that unneccesary insecticide residues complicate the negotiation of trade agreements with foreign buyers. We have also explored anddeveloped new inert products that may play an important role in safe grain storage. Nanosparticulate material may be particulalrly well suited to management of storage pests in dry climates, but ae also more effective than currently used products under conditions of higher humidity. We have developed a module on stored product integrated pest management (IPM) for undergraduate seniors and graduate students, as part of their basic training in IPM. This is not usually taught in IPM courses because they focus on pre-harvest pest management.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Weaver, D.K. 2013."Preserving Quality of Stored Grain", Montana Farm Bureau Ag NewsWire, August 29.
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Additional experiments comparing a nanostructured-alumina based inert dust with a commercial product comprised of diatomaceous earth were completed using the lesser grain borer and the rice weevil, both serious cosmopolitan pests of stored grain. Experiments addressing the efficacy of various forms of synthesis of these products were addressed by insect bioassays and by comparative analysis of the form of the crystalline structure. PARTICIPANTS: Ongoing collaboration continued with researchers from a CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina and CONICET, Comahue, Argentina laboratories, plus a Montana State University materials engineering laboratory. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience includes scientists studying methods to manage stored grain insects and has some potential for agribusiness. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Combustion synthesis produced the most effective inert dust. The lesser grain borer is less susceptible than the rice weevil to all forms of these products.
Publications
- Stadler, T., M. Buteler, D. K. Weaver and S. Sofie. 2012. Comparative toxicity of nanostructured alumina and a commercial inert dust for Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) at varying ambient humidity levels. Journal of Stored Products Research 48: 81- 90.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Experiments comparing a nanostructured-alumina based inert dust with a commercial product comprised of diatomaceous earth were completed using the lesser grain borer and the rice weevil, both serious cosmopolitan pests of stored grain. Experiments addressing the mode of action were also completed. PARTICIPANTS: Collaboration involved researchers from a CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina and a Montana State University materials engineering laboratory. TARGET AUDIENCES: Scientists engaged in research on the management of stored product insect pests. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
In our experiments we found that nanostructured alumina (NSA) performed better than the commercial product for killing the rice weevil under high humidity conditions. In general, lethal times and doses were better for this pest. The lesser grain borer is more difficult to manage using inert dusts and we found that NSA was equivalently effective for this pest. The mode of action of this compound appears similar to that of existing commercial products. A paper describing these findings has been accepted and will be published in January 2012.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: OUTPUTS: Conducted follow up experiments with new inert dust with ultrafine particle size for management of stored product insects. Presented these findings at national and regional meetings. Provided guidance to grain managers wishing to disinfest cool grain without available aeration. PARTICIPANTS: A research associate and a research scientist conduct research on potential management of stored grain pests using a new inert dust that we have characterized. This research is conducted in collaboration with a CONICET Laboratory in Mendoza, Argentina and with a materials engineering laboratory at Montana State University. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience includes scientists studying methods to manage stored grain insects. The inert dust also is of potential interest for agribusiness. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The ultrafine inert dust has activity comparable or better than that of commercially available products. Research will continue to fully characterize the product. Growers lacking aeration are transferring grain between bins in weather less than 10 degrees F. The grain stream cools significantly and limits further population growth. This is recognized as a procedure that has limited long term benefit.
Publications
- Stadler, T., Buteler, M., and Weaver, D.K. 2010. Novel use of nanostructured alumina as an insecticide. Pest Management Science 66:577-579.
- Stadler, T., Buteler, M., and Weaver, D.K. 2010. FORO: Nanoinsecticidas: Nuevas perspectivas para el control de plagas (FORUM: Nanoinsecticides: New perspectives on insect pest control). Revista de la Sociedad Entomologica Argentina 69: 149-156.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Offered specific information on aeration approaches, fumigants, and grain protectants for clientele seeking guidance. Identified a series of damaged wheat kernels to distinguish between preharvest damage by the orange wheat blossom midge and the wheat head armyworm and insect damaged kernels (IDK) caused by primary and secondary stored product insect pests. Conducted experiments with new inert dust with ultrafine pareticle size for management of stored product insects. PARTICIPANTS: A research associate and a research scientist conduct research on potential management of stored grain pests using a new inert dust that we have characterized. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience includes scientists studying the stored grain ecosystem. There is an equivalent focus on the needs in on-farm storage by grain growers, as well as to all other components of the postharvest grain industry. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Providing counseling on separating pre-and postharvest damage was valuable to elevator operators faced with apparent stored grain insect damage in newly harvested wheat. Continue to respond to questions about the utility of high cfm, natural air drying to manage stored product insects in Montana. Growers are considering utilizing higher airflow rates to manage grain quality by controlling temperature and moisture content more effectively - thus controlling stored product insect pests.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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