The use of locally available materials as protectants of maize grain against insect infestation during storage in Malawi

Trials were so up under ambient conditions in southern Malawi to determine the effectiveness of admixing locally available powders with maize to protect the grain during storage. All of the powders, dolomite, wood ash, tobacco dust, sawdust and sand, restricted infestation. The effectiveness was directly related to dosage, the highest dose 30% by weight completely covered the grain. The protection afforded by wood ash admixed at 30% by weight was of the same order as that provided by admixing pirimiphos-methyl at 8.8 ppm.