Question

How do storage grain losses occur?

Answer 1

Hint:Grains are stored after harvesting from the field for the purpose of consumption or for keeping it safe before the time of marketing. At this time of storage, however some losses may occur and it seriously impacts the income of the farmer and losses in the produced yield. Losses are caused by many factors in the environment.

Complete answer:
The losses that occur after harvesting for the purpose of storage is called post-harvest losses. The losses are classified into two types, as direct and indirect losses. Direct losses happen due to reduction of quantity or weight of the grains, whereas indirect losses are due to decrease in quality and the nutrition of the grains. This may lead to decrease in the quantity and the quality of the grains. In most cases, these losses are made by either biotic or abiotic factors.

(1) Biotic factors:Biotic factors include the living organisms that cause the losses to the stored grains. Like insects, mites, bacteria, fungi, rodents and other several microorganisms may damage the grains stored and cause severe losses.
(2) Abiotic factors:Abiotic factors include the rainfall, temperature, wind, lack of sunlight also causes severe losses to the grains. These results in the discoloration of the grain and loss of the ability to germinate etc.

Note:The losses may be in the form of bad quality of grains, reduced quantity, and presence of biotic factors in the grains leads to less consumer preference and less income to the producers. And they must be controlled by providing godowns or warehouses and proper chemical pesticide for the insects and pests.