ARS | Publication request: SIMULATED IMPACTS OF AERATION ON INSECT POPULATIONS IN ROUGH RICE STORED IN THE SOUTH-CENTRAL UNITED STATES

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: March 2, 2006
Publication Date: April 6, 2006
Citation: Arthur, F.H., Wilson, L., Yang, Y., Siebenmorgen, T.J. 2006. Simulated impacts of aeration on insect populations in rough rice stored in the South-Central United States [abstract]. Presentation as the Fifth National IPM Conference, St. Louis, MO, April 3-6, 2006.

Technical Abstract: Rice is a major component of crop production areas in the south-central United States. After rice is harvested, it is dried, and typically stored as rough, unhulled rice. During storage, it is vulnerable to attack by stored-grain insects, which can result in substantial economic loss. Two major pests species are the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica, and the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae. One integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for stored grains, including rough rice, is the use of low-volume aeration with ambient air to lower temperature in the bulk grain mass. This reduction in grain temperature will slow population growth of insect pests. We have developed a web-based Post-Harvest Grain Management program for stored rice (http://beaumont.tamu.edu/RiceSSWeb). The program allows users to create different scenarios of bin and fan configurations and different initial conditions of pest infestations, and to simulate changes in grain temperature and moisture content. Bin temperatures, insect populations, and grain damage are predicted from the simulations. Historical weather data are used to classify rice production in the south central United States into zones or areas. The weather data are further used to predict durations required for cooling at different aeration airflow rates for each zone. Representative weather stations within each zone are used for detailed analysis to show how geographic differences in climate can impact insect pest management through the use of aeration. All models are simulated using the web-based system. Results show the potential for expanded use of aeration in pest management programs for stored rice.