Effect of three organic plant powder extracts on storability and quality of maize grains

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2014-08-27
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An experiment was conducted at the laboratory of Mampong College of Teacher Education, Mampong, Ashanti Region to assess the effect of three organic plant powders on the storability and quality of maize grains. Three organic powders of neem seeds, orange peels, lemongrass, and a control with six dosages namely 5g, 10g, 15g, 20g, 25g, and 30g, were used as treatments. The design used was a 4x6 factorial in Complete Randomized Design with three replicates. Parameters studied included weevil survival, weevil mortality, grain damage and weight loss. The results from the study showed that the highest percentage weevil mortality was recorded for Neem, followed by lemongrass, citrus and control with means of 8.78 (76.38), 8.61 (73.7) and 2.14 (3.99), respectively. High dosages of the plant powder (15g and above) was effective in reducing the weevil population for all treatments except control. Neem seed powder at 10g was very effective in elimination the weevil population. The lowest percentage survived weevils of 3.11 (11.43) was recorded for neem powder at 30g and the highest percentage survived weevils was recorded for control with a mean of 5.26 (96.01). The lowest percentage damage of 1 (0) was recorded for neem powder at 30g and the highest percentage damage was recorded for control with a mean of 1.77 (2.13). Finally on weight loss of the stored grain, The mean percentage weight loss was highest for control (8.4), followed by citrus (6.74), lemongrass (5.7) and neem (3.64). Treating maize grains with organic plant extract would be useful in storing of maize.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Master of Philosophy (M. Phil. Postharvest Technology) degree, 2014
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