Review on Post-Harvest Grain Treatments (Filter Cake, Triplex Powders and Eucalyptus Tree Powder)
Abstract
Tolcha Techane Alemu
Grains are harvested seed and edible dry seeds from plants cereals. They are the basis of daily diets for many populations worldwide. In addition, they are fundamental in the regular foods of many people and used for the production of different popular food. Grain losses due to insect pests in sub-Saharan Africa especially in Ethiopia are very high. Therefore, to get those daily diets and reduce loss occurred by insects, treatment of grain is very important. The objective of this review is to review studies made by various researchers and reviewers on grain treatments (filter cakes, triplex and powder eucalyptus tree leaves). Application of chemical pesticides is important to protect stored grain from insect pests. However, most of small- holder farmers challenged with many problems related to unsafe handling and use of pesticides due to improper training in safe use of pesticides, and inadequate infrastructure to regulate safe use of pesticides. Filter cake and Triplex powders ap- plied to different grains to determine effectiveness against the grains. Filter cake is products of aluminum sulfate and Triplex is products of soap factories. Defense of stored grain from insect pests using Filter cake, Triplex powders and eucalyptus leaves tree has been practiced in Ethiopia. Filter cake and Triplex have a higher atomic percentage of silicon and oxygen in the form of silicon dioxide. Generally, grain treatment is very important through filter cake and triplex as well as by using eucalyptus tree powder, due to they have properties of toxic against insects and no health problems on humans. Therefore, Filter cake Triplex and eucalyptus leave recommended for protecting and managing grain stored by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia to discourage farmers from using dangerous chemical insecticides.