Effect of insects and diseases

• When insects and diseases damage the seed, the viability as well as storability of seed will be influenced directly.
• The important pests known to be found in the storage are rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae), Kapara beetle (Trogoderma granarium), Rhizopertha dominica, rust red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), saw toothed grain beetle, almond moth and Indian meal moth.
• Temperature above 400C causes the death of most of the insects.

Rodents and birds effect

• When the seed is damaged more, its quality and storability will be deteriorated quickly and vice versa.
• The annual loss of rodents is about 1.7% of the total stored grain and seed.
• There are three common methods of destroying rodents, viz; a. Poison bait b. Fumigation c. Trapping.

Seed maturity

• Immature seeds are smaller, wrinkled and shriveled and do not store well.
• Delayed harvesting also causes reduction in viability.
• Ex: rice seeds harvested 25 days after 50% flowering have viability for longer periods.