Hermetic Storage Technology for Protection of Stored Grains: A Review
Sundar Borkar *
Department of Entomology, BM College of Agriculture, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, 450001, India.
Rashmi Vishwakarma
Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwa Vidyalaya, Institute of Agriculture, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 453111, India.
Mangesh Soni
Department of Entomology, BM College of Agriculture, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, 450001, India.
Shubam Patel
Department of Entomology, BM College of Agriculture, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, 450001, India.
Pradyuman Singh
Department of Entomology, BM College of Agriculture, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, 450001, India.
Duraimurugan Ponnusamy
Crop Protection Division, ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Telangana, 500030, India.
AK Bhowmick
School of Agriculture, AKS University, Satna, Madhya Pradesh, 485001, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Hermetic storage technology provides an ideal and environmentally friendly solution for preserving stored grains against insect pests, rodents and microbial attacks. The review examines the effectiveness of hermetic storage technology for the protection of stored grains. Such systems can suppress the development of pests and fungi by ensuring an airtight environments that decrease oxygen content and raises carbon dioxide levels. Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags, metal silos, and hermetic cocoons are some of the technologies that have been effective in reducing post-harvest losses without compromising the quality of grain and the viability of seeds. Hermetic storage means that the food is safe and that it will also be eco-friendly, besides the fact that it eradicates the use of chemical pesticides. This technology has great potential and could be used to improve food security by the adoption of safe grain storage methods for the farmers, especially small holders, despite the related issue of awareness and initial cost.
Keywords: Hermetic storage, Postharvest losses, PICS bag, Eco-friendly and stored grain pests