CONTROLLED AMBIENT AERATION AS A PEST MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN STORED RICE

Goals / Objectives
ARS will design modeling studies to predict accumulation of hours required to cool storage bins within the rice storage regions of the United States. Different aeration activation temperatures will be used. Sampling programs will be conducted to assess the impact of controlled aeration on insect pest populations in experimental rice storage bins and field sites.

Project Methods
Controlled ambient aeration is a potential alternative to chemical treatment of stored rice. The process calls for the cooling of grain to temperatures below 15.6 degrees C, which is the approximate lower limit of development for most stored-product insects. Simple aeration controllers can be wired into bins to operate fans when the outside temperature drops below this level and to record the total amount of hours of fan operation. These new controllers are less complex and less expensive than those used historically on storage systems. By reducing the temperature of the grain mass more quickly than would occur naturally, insect growth can be limited. Experiments will be conducted to determine the effectiveness of controlled, ambient aeration as a means to reduce insect numbers while maintaining grain quality. Models incorporating climate data will be used to provide practical guidelines for effectively using controlled aeration.

Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05

Outputs
4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a reimbursable cooperative agreement between ARS and the University of Arkansas. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 5430-43000-025-00D, Integrated management of insect pests in stored grain and in processed grain products. Controlled aeration is a non-chemical control strategy currently used for other crops, but there are concerns regarding the effective use of aeration in rough rice stored in the south-central United States. Scientists at the Grain Marketing and Production Research Center in Manhattan, KS, conducted modeling simulation studies to determine the potential for the expanded use of aeration to cool stored rough rice, assisted with field studies in eastern Texas, and helped with the development of a web-based management system. Controlled aeration in stored rice would be beneficial and storage bins could be quickly cooled to temperatures that would limit insect development, and model results were verified through the field studies in Texas. A comprehensive web-based post harvest grain management system (http://beaumont.tamu.edu/RiceSSWeb) was developed by scientists at Texas A&M University, with assistance from scientists with the Grain Marketing and Production Research Center, for aeration management in stored rice.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

Progress 10/01/01 to 07/01/05

Outputs
Progress Report 4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a reimbursable cooperative agreement between ARS and the University of Arkansas. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 5430-43000-025-00D, Integrated management of insect pests in stored grain and in processed grain products. Controlled aeration is a non-chemical control strategy currently used for other crops, but there are concerns regarding the effective use of aeration in rough rice stored in the south-central United States. Scientists at the Grain Marketing and Production Research Center in Manhattan, KS, conducted modeling simulation studies to determine the potential for the expanded use of aeration to cool stored rough rice, assisted with field studies in eastern Texas, and helped with the development of a web-based management system. Controlled aeration in stored rice would be beneficial and storage bins could be quickly cooled to temperatures that would limit insect development, and model results were verified through the field studies in Texas. A comprehensive web-based post harvest grain management system (http://beaumont.tamu.edu/RiceSSWeb) was developed by scientists at Texas A&M University, with assistance from scientists at the Grain Marketing and Production Research Center for aeration management in stored rice.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04

Outputs
4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and University of Arkansas. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 5430-43000-024-00D, Prevention and control strategies for stored-product insects. Controlled aeration is a non-chemical control strategy currently used for other crops, but there are concerns regarding the effective use of aeration in Arkansas. Historical weather data were summarized to determine if temperatures were cool enough in Arkansas to use aeration as a management strategy for stored rough rice. Scientists at the Grain Marketing and Production Research Center in Manhattan, KS, conducted modeling simulation studies to determine the potential for the expanded use of aeration to cool stored rough rice in Arkansas. Controlled aeration in stored rice would be beneficial and storage bins could be quickly cooled to temperatures that would limit insect development. Efficient use of aeration may also reduce the need for chemical treatments to control insects in stored rice.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications