Silo Fumigation
What is Fumigations : Treatment carried out in air tight enclosure for a particular exposure period with gaseous chemicals which kills insects and other pest.
Scientific Method : Fumigation with Phosphine Generator which releases phosphine gas quickly after reaction between fumigant and water directly under controlled mechanism and circulation of gaseous fumigant across the silo.
Conventional Method : Fumigation by application of fumigant directly to commodities, which reacts with moisture inside the enclosure and fumigant are circulated with help of J-system.
Fumigations are carried out to kill Stored Products Insects damaging food grains
More than 20 species of stored products insects in India but only few species are causing maximum damages.
Primary Insects damages the grain from inside the grain while Secondary Insects feeds on damaged grains
Damages % can start from 10 to 30 % if fumigation treatment were not carried out leading to huge losses.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Dynamicst
Phosphine Release Time
Residues
Fumigant Dispersion
Flammability
Phosphine Generator
Quick, within two hours
No chance of mixing
Better due to quick release of PH3
Controlled release of fumigant
Conventional Method
Slow, Can take 3 to 4 days
Can get mixed while recovery
Uneven due to slow release
No Control, bifurcation of dosage is utmost necessary