A comprehensive review on advances in storage pest management: Current scenario and future prospects

Abstract

Modernization of the agricultural production system led to a significant increase in annual food production intended to meet the ever-growing consumer demand. In many countries, most of the food grains produced is stored for contingency and regular supply. These stored grains, in general, are directly or indirectly infested by insects, resulting in severe grain damages and storage losses, thus, causing a threat to food safety and security. Although a variety of insect management options, such as physical, mechanical, biological, and chemical methods, are available, fumigation has been practiced for decades in storage. However, opportunities for fumigation are narrowing after the phase-out of methyl bromide. Besides, safe food and health concerns paved the path for green chemistry and non-chemical management practices. This review includes the list of stored-grain insects and their detection methods. The different management strategies such as the modern storage structures (hermetic and low-pressure storages), modified or controlled storage atmosphere, application of ozone as fumigant, irradiation, and physical options are presented. Further, the details on sustainable biological options, such as semiochemicals, natural enemies, biopesticides, and entomopathogenic nematodes, are supplemented. The use of inert dusts as grain protectant and in combination with the biological entity is included. Studies on alternative fumigants', novel management options, such as molecular biology tools (RNAi and CRISPR) and nanotechnology in stored grain protection, are also highlighted. This review helps the reader to understand the overall factors affecting grain storage and the different options to manage the insects causing storage losses.

Biopesticidal Potential of Indigenous Plant Extracts against Rice Weevil in Stored Wheat

“…Biopesticides, derived from natural sources such as microorganisms, plants, and their extracts, offer the promise of effective pest control while minimizing the negative environmental and health impacts associated with traditional chemical interventions (Rajamani and Negi, 2021;Ayilara et al, 2023). This shift towards biopesticides aligns with the broader goal of fostering sustainable agriculture, promoting ecological balance, and addressing the urgent need for environmentally friendly alternatives to combat pest-related challenges in grain storage and other agricultural practices (Fenibo et al, 2021(Fenibo et al, , 2022Guru et al, 2022;Hezakiel et al, 2023). The historical use of plant-derived materials for pest control traces back through centuries, reflecting traditional agricultural practices that harnessed the natural properties of various plants.…”

“…Grain storage poses a tough challenge globally, as postharvest losses due to insect infestations threaten food security and economic stability, particularly in agricultural-dependent nations like Pakistan (Jayas, 2012;Berhe et al, 2022). The preservation of stored grains requires effective strategies to combat pests, and the success of these strategies is crucial for sustaining the supply chain, reducing economic losses, and ensuring a stable food source for growing populations (Jayas, 2012;Kumar et al, 2021;Guru et al, 2022). Insect pests in stored grains exert a profound global impact by causing substantial economic losses and compromising the quality of stored food (Ahmad et al, 2022;Guru et al, 2022;Stathas et al, 2023).…”

“…The preservation of stored grains requires effective strategies to combat pests, and the success of these strategies is crucial for sustaining the supply chain, reducing economic losses, and ensuring a stable food source for growing populations (Jayas, 2012;Kumar et al, 2021;Guru et al, 2022). Insect pests in stored grains exert a profound global impact by causing substantial economic losses and compromising the quality of stored food (Ahmad et al, 2022;Guru et al, 2022;Stathas et al, 2023). The pervasive nature of these pests contributes to postharvest losses, affecting food availability and exacerbating concerns about global food security (Berhe et al, 2022;Gerken and Morrison, 2022).…”

Edible plant rhizome-based biocide for management of Callsobruchus chinensis (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

“…About 14.0 mt of foodgrains get lost during storage in India annually (Banga et al, 2020) of which insect pests alone cause nearly 20-25% storage loss (Rajashekar et al, 2012) damaging and deteriorating the primary production resources affecting the sustainable crop production system on many occasions. More than 600 species of coleopterans, 70 species of lepidopterans and 355 species of mites cause quantitative and qualitative losses in stored products (Guru et al, 2022;Rajendran, 2002;Tyagi et al, 2019), including deterioration of grain chemical composition in the form of starch and proteins of the grains (Grish et al, 1975;Pushpamma and Reddy, 1979). Amongst the biotic stresses, the pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Coleoptera : Bruchidae) is one of the cosmopolitan and notorious insect species (Srivastava and Dhaliwal, 2010) causing up to 100% loss of stored pulses in tropical countries including India (Dubey et al, 2010), as it multiplies at a faster rate in high temperature and humidity conditions (Appleby and Credland, 2004).…”