USE OF PLASTIC FILMS IN GRAIN STORES

A laboratory study of wheat stored at two different levels of moisture content with and without presence of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky w as performed. Flexible PVC and polythene films as seals were used in o rder to examine their effectiveness to maintain the wheat quality by c omparing changes in mositure content, germination and weight loss. The PVC film showed a high water vapor permeability and it behaved as the permeable muslin control, keeping the grain quality in all tested con ditions. The polythene film showed a low water vapor permeability and it allowed the insects development. It seems that plastic films may be useful in grain stores bearing in mind their properties, adequate sea ling and protecting them from insect damage, besides they should be se lected according to environmental conditions.