author(s)
Reddy Shekar V, B Anil Kumar, A Padmasri and M Shanti

abstract
The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of modified atmosphere with elevated levels of CO₂ against rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae in maize. Seeds were artificially infested with S. oryzae and exposed to different concentrations of CO₂ (20, 40, 60 and 80 percent) and packed in air tight containers. Eighty percent CO₂ Concentration checked the seed damage (0.67 percent) and weight loss (0.37 percent) below permissible limits (one percent) by restricting the adult emergence (4.33) of rice weevil upto six months of storage followed by sixty percent CO₂ concentration. Storage of maize seeds in the CO₂ rich atmosphere (60 and 80 percent) also maintained seed quality (viability of seed) without any detrimental effect on germination (maintained above 90 percent), seedling vigour and moisture content (12 percent) upto six months of storage.