Exploring climate change adaptation strategies in maize (Zea mays) postharvest management practices among smallholder farmers

Climate change has negative effects on postharvest management of cereals. However, much emphasis is placed on climate change adaptation (CCA) in crop production whilst not adequately addressing the CCA in postharvest management of maize. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among smallholder farmers. Key informant interviews, observations and structured interviews on 280 household heads were done. Binary logistic regression was used to analyse determinants of use of postharvest CCA practices whilst multinomial logistic regression was used to analyse determinants of use of postharvest storage facilities. Farmers used grain protectants (40.4%) and minimised the duration of the harvesting process (34.3%) as their major CCA practices in maize postharvest management. There was a significant difference in postharvest maize loss quantities ( p ≤ 0.05) between users and non-users of CCA practices. The choice and use of climate-resilient postharvest strategies were significantly influenced by location, cultivated land, access to radio and membership to farmer club. Choice of a postharvest storage facility was significantly influenced by training and membership to farmers’ club. Smallholder farmers are using some conventional maize postharvest management practices like grain protectants to adapt to the effects of climate change. The use of maize postharvest CCA strategies significantly reduced postharvest losses.

Isolation and Identification of Insect Antifeedant Compound from Ethanol Extract of Hemidesmus indicus Root

Phytochemicals with insect antifeedant potential can be used as a safer alternative to harmful chemicals that are used as grain protectants. The insect antifeedant effect of the extracts and fractions of Hemidesmus indicus root were tested against the stored grain insect pest Corcyra cephalonica Stainton. Bioactivity-guided study of ethanol extract of Hemidesmus indicus root led to isolation and identification of a triterpenoid, Lupeol with insect antifeedant potential. Although Lupeol showed insect antifeedant potential the ethanol extract was found to be more effective as an antifeedant. This implies that the synergistic action of compounds present in the ethanol extract of H. indicus root is responsible for the higher antifeedant potential.