Alternative control of corn weevil,Sitophilus zeamais, in storage using byproducts of oil shaleprocessing in Paraná, Brazil.

Abstract

Annual losses caused by pests during the grain storage are estimated to be equivalent 10% of the Brazil production. The market provides traditional pesticides for control, but the farmer ecological base havefew alternatives. So, this study aimed at checking the efficacy of byproducts of oil shale as control of S.zeamaisin corn seeds. Were employed powders of retorted oil shale, dust refuse oil shale, limeshale, ashes of oil shale at 2 and 5 Kg/1000 Kg of seeds, diatomaceous earth and untreated a checks. The experiments were conducted in completely randomized design, three replicates for location and time of evaluation. The insect mortality was assayed bimonthly at 180 days. Treatment effect was verified through of ANOVA and mean differences by L. S. D. (Fisher Modified), at level of P≤0,05. Ashes of oilshale was efficient until 180 days of storage. There was no negative influence of the rock powders in germination and vigor. Ashes of oil shale present potential big to control of S. zeamais in plantation ecological base.