Abstract:
Maize, also known as corn, is a staple food in Africa, particularly Nigeria. It is a very rich
source of highly digestible carbohydrate; which if eaten in the immature state, provides useful
quantities of Vitamin C. The yellow grain varieties contain Vitamin A. Fresh maize can be
boiled, roasted or cooked with beans and eaten. It can also be grounded and prepared into
paste for making palp; or fried in oil into 'corn-cake'('Pekere' in the Yoruba part of Nigeria).
Very dry maize can be powdered into 'flour' which can be prepared into various foods, such as
Semovita, Bread and various snacks; while dry grains of a particularly variety that explodes
when heated, can be roasted into a popular refreshment known as 'Popcorn'. Industrially, maize
can be used for the production of cereal baby foods, corn-oil, glucose, gum, starch and alcohol.
The grains constitute the major ingredient in the production of livestock feed called mash,
particularly, for poultry and pigs. The green leaves of maize plant can be fed as fodder to
livestock, or in the form of hay or silage. Sale of maize grains or its products and byproducts,
constitutes a major trade in our local markets and the grain board; forming an
important source of income and livelihood of our people. In spite of the great value of maize, its
availability and utilization in many countries, particularly Nigeria, have been impaired due to
seed damage by pests; particularly, the larvae of the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais)
Motschulsky. Attack by this pest begins in the field and continues in storage, causing
substantial damage to stored grains as the pest population rapidly increases. Greater attention
therefore, should be paid to the crop during storage in order to make its grains available for use
when needed. This paper therefore, examined the life cycle of the maize weevil, Sitophilus
zeamais, and discussed ways of subjugating the insect, for a sustainable maize grains storage and
utilization. |
