Ozone Efficiency on Two Coleopteran Insect Pests and Its Effect on Quality and Germination of Barley

Abstract

Ozone (O3) is a potential fumigant to control pests in stored grain since it can safely and rapidly auto-decompose without leaving residues. In this study, the efficacy of O3 on all life stages of Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) in barley and the physiological effects on barley and its quality were investigated. Complete control of all life stages of pests was obtained at 700 ppm for 1440 min of ozone exposure without negatively impacting the contents of soluble protein, moisture content, seed colour, hardness, and the weight of thousand barley seeds. The eggs and pupae of these two insects were the more tolerant stages than their larvae and adults. Prolonged exposure times (40 to 1440 min) and mortality assessment intervals (1, 2, and 7 days) increased O3 efficacy due to the reaction characteristics and delayed toxicity. Aging barley seeds appeared to be more sensitive to prolonged ozone duration than new seeds. A total of 20 and 40 min could promote germination rate, and longer O3 exposure (1440 min) was unfavourable for germination and seedling growth. Thus, it is imperative to select an optimal O3 exposure time to transfer ozone into quality contributors of final products and achieve the desired functional outcomes.

Recent trends in ozone sensing technology

“…Also, ozone is employed to control pests, microbial growth, germination, and diseases in many crops and agricultural products. [21][22][23][24] As an air pollutant, ozone impacts human health by causing pain in the chest, cough, irritation, and obstruction in the throat, escalating bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema. Due to the high effect of air pollutants on public wellness, the atmosphere, and the broad economy, the air grade in urban areas is now a matter of great interest worldwide.…”

“…Also, ozone is employed to control pests, microbial growth, germination, and diseases in many crops and agricultural products. 21–24…”

The Effect of Ozone Treatment on Metabolite Profile of Germinating Barley

“…A large filter paper was saturated with 60 mL distilled water and folded in half, creating a double thickness. Once the seeds were positioned correctly, the upper half of the filter paper was folded over the seed area [29]. All treatments were incubated for 7 days at 25 ± 1 • C in the dark.…”

Physiological Quality of Treated and Stored Barley Seeds

“…hordei) (Reis & Casa, 2007). As for the pests of the barley crop, the most important are the ground coró, (Phyllophaga tritico), grazing coró (Diloboderus abderus), cereal aphid (Schizaphis graminum), leaf aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi), rice root aphid (Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominale), lesser grain (Rhyzopertha dominica), red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), borer leaf aphid (Metopolophium dirhodum), wheat caterpillar (Pseudaletia sequax), fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon) (Dong, et al, 2022).…”