Oilseeds - Storage and Insect Pest Control

Oilseeds, the source of oils for edible and multiple industrial uses hold an important position in the economy of developed as wen as developing countries. Studies on storage and insect pest control in oilseeds are relatively less when compared with eereal grains. In industrialized countries, aeration techniques appropriate to the storage situation (siloslbins) are adopted whereas, in developing countries with the bag-stack storage system the necessity for such sophisticated techniques has not arisen. Oilseeds as well as oilcakes/meals are rich in proteins and fats and hence are vulnerable to infestation of stored product insect species resulting in weight loss, contamination and deterioration in quality and flavour, mould growth and formation of toxins. In these commodities, Tribolium spp. among beetle pests and Ephestia cautella as well as Plodia interpunctella among moths are important. Fumigation with phosphine and ether alternatives have been practiced and/or studied for the protection of these commodities. Oilseeds, due to their higher oil content absorb fumigants and other pestieides and leave higher residue levels. The need to minimize post-harvest losses in oilseeds in order to meet the inereasing demand for edible oils and oil meals by effective preservation methods is emphasized. Lack of data on insect infestation, control methods and pesticides residues in cakes and meals have been highlighted.