Entomological Problems of Food Storage in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, shelled groundnuts are stored in sacks in covered warehouses and as pyramids in the open air. At the beginning of storage the nuts comprise approximately equal quantities of whole, split and broken nuts of a moisture content of 3·4 per cent. The sacks are exposed to direct hot sun whilst stacking.The mean monthly maximum shade temperature in Kano ranges from 101°F. in April to 85°F. in January and August and the mean monthly minimum from 75°F. in May to 56°F. in January. Monthly maximum relative humidities range from 100 per cent, in August and September to 45 per cent, in February, and the monthly minimum from 71 per cent, in August to 12 per cent, in February. The range of mean relative humidity is 81 per cent, in August and 18 per cent, in February. Rains fall between April and September, 70 per cent, falling in July and August. Heavy falls are recorded on about 25 days.Inside warehouses, the maximum monthly temperatures are 102°F. in May and 79°F. in January and February, and minimum temperatures are 81°F. in June, and 58°F. in February. In August the mean relative humidity range is 93 per cent, to 70 per cent. In December it is 34 per cent. to 20 per cent.Just under the roof of a warehouse and on the surface of pyramids the diurnal range is very large.