# Influence of biosilica treatments and storage receptacles on the quality of maize (Zea mays L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seeds during long-term storage

## TL;DR

This study shows that treating maize and bean seeds with biosilica and storing them in certain containers can reduce insect damage and improve long-term storage quality.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is demonstrating biosilica's effectiveness in reducing insect damage and preserving seed viability in maize and common bean during extended storage.

## Key findings

- Biosilica-treated seeds stored in polyethylene bags and glass jars showed reduced insect damage in common beans.
- Seed viability remained above 80% for both maize and common beans after six months with biosilica treatment.
- Biosilica application significantly reduced storage losses and insect perforation indices.

## Abstract

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a major source of affordable, high-quality dietary protein that complements maize (Zea mays L.)-based diets. Traditional storage of these seeds in sacks and glass jars without treatment often leads to infestation by insect pests, such as Acanthoscelides obtectus and Sitophilus zeamais, causing significant grain losses. This study evaluated grain damage and weight loss after mixing biosilica with maize and common bean seeds, which were stored in various containers (glass jars, polyethylene, and polypropylene bags) over a six-month period, during which seed viability was also assessed. Although the initial moisture level (≤ 13%) was favourable for storage for both grain species, about half of the common bean cultivars (FEB 190 and NUV6) and two-thirds of the maize cultivars (CMS 8501 and CMS 8704) were adversely affected after prolonged storage without treatment for six months. As concerns the effects of the storage receptacle on the biosilica-treated seeds, the polyethylene bags and glass jars were more effective for common beans than for maize seeds after five months of storage. However, by the sixth month, the biosilica-containing jars were characterized by low insect perforation indices (≤ 50%) and rather high seed viability (> 80%) for both maize and common beans after six months of storage, highlighting the protective effect and storage loss reduction capacity of the biosilica. Hence, their application could help farmers improve safe grain storage over prolonged periods and eventually enhance their livelihoods and incomes.