Managing Lesser Grain Borer Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) Adults using Radiofrequency Heating

Rice is the second most widely cultivated crop and storage pests constitute a significant issue during rice storage and marketing. Chemical disinfestation leaves residue on grains and has a poor consumer preference. Radiofrequency (RF) heating is the physical method of pest control that provides quick heating and better penetration. In addition, RF heating can cause insect mortality and can be utilized to disinfest grains. An RF unit with 40.68 MHz and 10 kW power was utilized to disinfest rice infested with adults of lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica (F). The electrode height and conveyor speed were varied to determine the optimum parameters for disinfestation. Decreasing the electrode height and conveyor speed led to increased mortality of R. dominica. The electrode heights of 190 mm and 195 mm resulted in complete mortality adults at all the conveyor speeds, except at the highest speed of 10 m/ hr. Mortality of adults of reached 100% at the electrode height of 190 and 195 mm with conveyor speed of 6 and 8 m/ hr. However, only the lowest conveyor speed of 6 m/ hr was effective in the complete disinfestation at an electrode height of 200 mm.