Abstract
The efficacy of salting sliced sweetpotato chips prior to drying in reducing and (or) controlling damage levels of dried chips in storage by Araecerus fasciculatus Degeer (Coleoptera: Anthribidae) was investigated. Eight salt dosage rates, 0 (controls), 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 g 100 g-1 freshly sliced chips were evaluated. Artificial infestation of dried chips with adult A. fasciculatus was conducted. Gravid females were allowed to oviposit for one week and the infested chips incubated until the F1 generation adults had all emerged under prevailing environmental temperatures of 26.29 ± l.19°C and relative humidity 68.96 ± 7.39%. The number, weight, and generation time of A. fasciculatus that emerged varied significantly depending on the salt dosage rates. Best results were obtained with increasing salt dosage levels. Salt application rate at 2-3% is recommended for on-farm validation.
