IMPACT OF SITOTROGA CEREALELLA ON THE VIABILITY OF OAT SEED

Stored grain pests cause severe loses to cereal grains. These become more critical when the viability of seed is affected and the farmers are unable to produce healthy crop and seed for next year. The infestation of Sitotroga cerealella was observed upon oat varieties; namely Donald, Cimmaran, Scott and No. 626-SL. The data was recorded after 30, 60 and 90 days of infestation, proved that the Scott variety was the most resistant among other selected oat cultivars. The maximum percentage losses (74%) were recorded in Donald. The germination percentage was also checked by growing infested oat grains in both laboratory and field conditions. The statistically highest germination percentage of 27 % and 18 % were recorded from Scott under lab and field conditions respectively, whereas Donald comprised of minimum recorded viability due to infestation under laboratory and field conditions. Further new pest control techniques (like plant products) might be exploited to reduce the seed losses and viability.