Pesticides for Stored
Products
J. R. Plimmer
9.1. INTRODUCTION
9
If commodities are to be stored, transported, or processed, they must be protected
from deterioration and loss caused by pests. Such losses place a heavy economic
burden on the consumer, and their consequences may be disastrous in times of
food shortage. Statistics indicate the magnitude of the problem. For example,
in a 1947 FAO Survey it was reported that insects destroy at least 5% of the
world production of cereal grains. In 29 countries the loss of cereals was 23,355,000
tons, of which 50% was attributed to insects (Cotton and Ashby, 1952).
This situation can be ameliorated somewhat by improvements in storage
facilities and handling techniques, but some form of chemical treatment will
continue to be essential. Chemical treatment to control stored-product pests and
to prevent introduction of pests into quarantined areas presents special difficulties, and such applications differ considerably from those used for protection of
crops or public health.
When chemicals are used for control of pests of any type, only a small
fraction of the applied material is ingested or absorbed by the target organism.
A considerably larger fraction is altered or dissipated in the environment. When
J. R. Plimmer • Organic Chemical Synthesis Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705.
239
Products
J. R. Plimmer
9.1. INTRODUCTION
9
If commodities are to be stored, transported, or processed, they must be protected
from deterioration and loss caused by pests. Such losses place a heavy economic
burden on the consumer, and their consequences may be disastrous in times of
food shortage. Statistics indicate the magnitude of the problem. For example,
in a 1947 FAO Survey it was reported that insects destroy at least 5% of the
world production of cereal grains. In 29 countries the loss of cereals was 23,355,000
tons, of which 50% was attributed to insects (Cotton and Ashby, 1952).
This situation can be ameliorated somewhat by improvements in storage
facilities and handling techniques, but some form of chemical treatment will
continue to be essential. Chemical treatment to control stored-product pests and
to prevent introduction of pests into quarantined areas presents special difficulties, and such applications differ considerably from those used for protection of
crops or public health.
When chemicals are used for control of pests of any type, only a small
fraction of the applied material is ingested or absorbed by the target organism.
A considerably larger fraction is altered or dissipated in the environment. When
J. R. Plimmer • Organic Chemical Synthesis Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705.
239