[01] Yilma Nibret, Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia. [02] Oljira Kenea, Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia. [03] Tifsehit Solomon, Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia. [04] Pichiah Gomathinayagam, Department of Plant Science, College of Agriculture, Wollega University, Shambu, Ethiopia.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important food crops produced mainly for subsistence and maintaining household food security by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. Maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais is the prime pest of stored maize and the main cause of postharvest loss in the country. The aim of this study was to assess the infestation rate, weight loss, storage management and control practices of the maize weevil by small holder farmers in Adet Zuria, Ethiopia. In this study 200 quintal sample points from 20 households were taken at random for measuring the infestation rate of the maize weevil. One way ANOVA was used to determine the weight loss of the maize taken at three different portions in bag store; bottom, middle and top portions. A household survey was conducted in May 2019 in a random sample of 360 maize farmers to assess postharvest storage management and maize weevil control practices in the study setting. The infestation rate of maize weevil from 200 quintal sample bag store was 79.5%. There was statistically different weight loss of the maize grain along the bag store. High weight loss was observed at the middle of the bag store compared to the bottom and the top. Most of the farmers (90.3%) store their maize grain in traditional storage structures particularly in bags and gota. The major control and management practice of the local people against the maize weevil in the study area was chemical pesticides. In conclusion, the infestation rate of the maize weevil in stored maize in Adet zuria Kebele was very high and the farmers store their maize in traditional storage structures and rely on chemical insecticides for protection against the weevil. Therefore integrated maize weevil management actions should be undertaken that include improvement of storage structures and ecofriendly management of the maize weevil.

Adet Zuria, Bag Store, Maize Weevil, Pest Management, Storage Structure

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