Abstract:
Maize is one of the most important cereal crops in Sri Lanka and the world.
With the increase of the world population, demand for maize keeps on increasing,
which is accelerated by the increasing demand for poultry feed, for which maize is the
main energy source. The loss of grain in quantity and the deterioration of quality by
storage pests remain a main concern. The preservation of maize during storage needs
to be done sustainably. Considering the drawbacks of the traditional storage methods,
farmers shifted to chemical pesticides to preserve stored grain. The public awareness
of environmental safety, toxicity to humans and animals, and the increasing demand
for pesticide-free food have created pressure on the research community to develop
alternative measures for the management of stored products insect pests. The research
findings indicate that the resistant traits in maize can be improved by identifying the
resistance against storage pests in local varieties and through hybridization. The progress
in the research, development, and application of biopesticides shows the potential for
the use of local resources to produce biopesticides for managing the stored products
pests. The alternative storage pest management strategies are considered simple,
economical, effective, and environmentally friendly. It is recommended to formulate
policies to invest more in IPM research, development, and implementation, which also
include development and cultivation of resistant maize varieties and development
and application of biopesticides against storage pests to ensure a sustainable and safe
supply of maize grain for food and feed.
