The role of physical factors on the existence of insect pests in the corn warehouses in Sumbawa regency

Abstract

The Physical factors of the warehouse must be the main concern in order to optimize storage capacity and maintain commodity quality during the storage period. This study aims to identify pests and assess several physical factors of corn warehouses (such as geographical location, microclimate, quality of storage materials, the physical condition of warehouses, and control efforts) related to the presence of pests in the warehouse. This study was conducted in May up to September 2019. This study covers three regions in Sumbawa Regency (Eastern, Central, and Western). The process of identifying pests is carried out at the Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Mataram. The data is processed and analyzed by using descriptive methods with a literature review technique. Direct observation is applied in this study for data collection and sampling. The results show that the physical factors of the warehouse support the existence and development of pest populations in the corn warehouses. Furthermore, the data show an increase in population and there are 16 species of pests found in corn warehouses.