NSRF Project DiatomiteThem
Project Information
Title: Protection of stored cereals using diatomaceous earth
Greek title: Προστασία των αποθηκευμένων δημητριακών με τη χρήση γης διατόμων
Acronym: DiatomiteThem
Duration: 2020 – 2023
Funded under: National Action “RESEARCH – CREATE – INNOVATE”
Coordinated by the Agricultural Cooperative of Thessaly “ThesGI”
About DiatomiteThem
DiatomiteThem examined how commercial formulations of diatomaceous earth can be used to reduce the insect and microbial load in stored agricultural products and food. Diatomaceous earth acts physically rather than chemically, which makes it an attractive alternative for grain storage where residues and resistance are a growing concern.
The project was coordinated by the Agricultural Cooperative of Thessaly “ThesGI”, with two laboratories of the University of Thessaly participating: the Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology and the Laboratory of Agricultural Economics and Consumer Behaviour.
Context
Stored cereals lose value to insect infestation and to the microbial load that follows it. Conventional protection relies on chemical treatments, which raise questions of residues, of resistance, and of what consumers are willing to accept.
Diatomaceous earth offers a physical mode of action, but its use at commercial scale needs evidence on effectiveness, on handling and on cost.
Objectives
- Evaluate commercial diatomaceous earth formulations for the protection of stored cereals.
- Reduce the insect and microbial load in stored agricultural products and food.
- Assess the economic dimension of the method and the conditions for its adoption.
Our role
The Agricultural Economics and Consumer Behaviour Lab participated alongside the Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, contributing the economic assessment of the method and the analysis of the conditions under which producers and the market take it up.
This research has been co-financed by the European Union and Greek national funds through the Operational Programme Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, under the call “RESEARCH – CREATE – INNOVATE”.