Food Science and Agriculture: Research Highlights Vol. 9

Grain storage is a major challenge in developing countries, where insect infestation contributes to losses in stored food grains. Among stored-grain insects, Sitophilus oryzae L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an economically important internal feeder of cereal grains. This review examines storage entomology associated with S. oryzae, the influence of abiotic factors on its occurrence and infestation, and the reported bio-efficacy of plant-based materials used for its management. The reviewed studies indicate that temperature, relative humidity, and grain moisture influence pest occurrence, oviposition, development, and survival. A range of botanicals, including plant powders, extracts, vegetable oils, and essential oils, have been evaluated as grain protectants. Reported effects include adult mortality, reduced oviposition and egg hatching, suppressed progeny emergence, reduced grain damage and weight loss, and repellent activity. The manuscript also reviews specific botanicals, including bael, chrysanthemum, garlic, karanj, castor, turmeric, chilli, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, tobacco, coriander, and eucalyptus. Essential oils and other plant-derived products show variable activity depending on botanical source, formulation, dose, exposure period, stored commodity, and storage conditions. Overall, the reviewed evidence indicates that locally available botanicals may contribute to the management of S. oryzae in stored grains, although their performance should be interpreted in relation to the conditions under which each study was conducted.