Effect of Trichoderma harzianum in the Protection of Wheat Grains from Infestation with Rhyzopertha dominica (Fab) During the Store

Abstract: Currently, the economic losses generated by the attack of pests on the storages constitute a severe problem. Conventional grain protection methods based on the application of chemical pesticides to control these undesirable insects have also formed to represent an annoyance since the excessive usage of these compounds is linked to contamination problems and serious harm to consumers' health. This research aims to possibility of creating a means to protect the grain stores from infestation with Rhyzopertha dominica through testing for the efficiency of Trichoderma harzianum with three concentrations (7x104, 7x106, 7x108 and spores /ml) in the protection of grains in jute sacks from infection by this pest after three months of storage period and the effect of T. harzianumon . The results showed that the high efficiency of T. harzianumon in protecting the grain stores from infestation by these insect sacks was measured when treated in the bags with the highest concentration of 7x108 spores/ml of fungi, and the total weight loss was 2.0269. while the control treatment gave 6.4012-gram weight losses. also shows the total weight loss was 4.054 when the grains were treated with the highest concentration of 7x108 spores/ml of fungus. in contrast to 8.0629-gram weight decreases with the control treatment. and treated the bags and grains with 7x108 spores/ml of fungi, the total percentage of weight losses was 1.7033 after three months from storage. while the control treatment gave 11.475 grams of weight loss.