moisture meter

SPECIFICATIONS FOR RED GRAM DAL QUALITY

MAXIMUM  LIMITS  OF   TOLERANCE  (PERCENT BY WEIGHT)  AGMARK  STANDARD (FAQ)

S no Refraction Tolerance limit 1 Moisture                      : 12.00% 2 Foreign matter              : 0.50% 3 Other edible grain         : 2.00% 4 Damaged/discoloured   : 2.00% 5 Weeviled pulses           : 6.00%

Differences between Red gram dall and kesari dall

Red gram dal is adultrated by unscrupulous traders by adding cheaper pulses by adding cheaper pulses such as kesari dal,badri dal and other colouring chemical powders.Mainly adultration is with kesari dal (lathyrus sativus) locally called as "lanka pappu" or "grass pea".


The salient features of Red gram dal  and kesari dal are  :

RED GRAM DALL	KESARI DALL
1. Red gram dal inverted bowel in shape.The dall is nearly round in appearance and is thick in middle and thin in edges all around.	1.  The kesari dal is inverted wedge/spade in shape.It looks like Bengal gram dall ,but square outline and irregular in shape and is thick at one end and thin on other,with a sloopy decrease in size from one edge to the other.
2.Red gram dal is having a slight notch when the gram split into two pieces the radical portion /germ portion inside the gram attaches with one piece, leaving slight notch on the other piece.	2.The kesari dall is not having any notch inside the dall.but a characteristic kidney shape may appear on one side of the dall.
3.The Red gram dall is rough,light yellow in colour.	3.Kesari dall is bright yellow in colour with smooth surface.

LESSER GRAIN BORER

Scientific name: Rhizopertha   dominica

Commodities attacked:

Paddy ,Rice,Wheat,and Maize.It is able to attack paddy more easily than S.Oryzae.

Nature of damage :

Adult comes out from the grain leaving a irregular hole.In bagged  irregular messy flour spots indicate infestation of this pest.heating is very common. Localized infestation is almost a rule.Both adults and larva cause damage and are voracious feeders.As such gain kernels are reduced to mere shells.The damaged kernels remain engulfed in a film of waste flour.

Identification:

1. Most characteristic feature is that the head is deflexed downwards to such an extent that it is almost hidden in a dorsal view. 
2. There is a prominent constriction between pro thorax and elytra.
3. Colour ranges from brown to blackish.
4. Antenna has a large loose three segmented club.
5. Size 3 m.m.

Life history and habits:

Eggs are laid on the surface or interstices of of cereal grains singly or in clusters.Single female lays eggs upto 550.The larvae eat their way  into the grain or feed on grain dust or starchy material and are capable of attacking grain externally.The free living larva normally enters the grain after the third instar for pupation.

Entire life cycle takes 25 days under optimum conditions.Ideal climatic conditions range from 34-36 degrees centigrade with R.H above 50-60 %.Adults are good fliers but they are not capable of field infestation as the larva are free living.The insect prefers dark,dingy stores.Infestation in bagged storage is not normally confined to periphery.

INSECT PESTS IN FOOD GRAIN STORAGE

Insects belong to     Phyllum  :  ARTHROPODA
                              Class      :  INSECTA
                                                                   
             Having 3 pairs of legs and outer skin called cuticle,body divided into 3 parts head,thorax and abdomen.The head bears 1 pair of antennae,the thorax carries 3 pairs of legs,1 or 2 pairs of wings.The exo skeleton is chitinous.


            As per the pause committee report,the storage losses due to insect pests of stored grains are 2.55%.In addtion they are also responsible for the qualitative losses of food grains.
         
            The classification of primary and secondary insect pests is given below:

RICE WEEVIL :

Scientific name  :  Sitophilus oryzae

Nature of Damage :

Damage is done by adults and larvae.Grains are hallowed out.Kernals are reduced to mere powder ,Sitophilus oryzae ans S.zeamais are known to attack in fields too.Adults cut circular holes.Heating takes place during heavy infestation.which is known as  dry heating.

Identification :

• Size  3 m.m 
• Weevils are beetles having characteristic beak or snout.
• Antennae elbowed and slightly clubbed.hind wings present except in S.granarius.
• colour ranges from reddish brown chocolate to almost black.
• S.zeamais -largest among three species.

Commodities attacked :


   Wheat,Rice ,Maize ,Jowar and Paddy etc.,


Life history and habits : 

Female makes a cavity and lays translucent  white eggs  and then plugs the hole with gelatinous secretion.Eggs are laid singly.

Single female lays 150 to 250 eggs.The leg less,fleshly  and curved larva remains in the grain and pupates also inside the grain.larval stage lasts for about 20 days.Pupal period is for 3-6 days.When development is complete the adult comes out having a circular hole.Adult lives for 3-5 months.Grain having moisture less than 10 % is not attacked.The life cycle takes 26days at  30 degrees centigrade and 75% R.H.The optimum climatic conditions for developments range from 26 to 36 degrees centigrade.