MP Board · Class 9 · Science · Improvement in Food ResourcesList the biotic and abiotic factors that cause losses during stored grain management and state two prevention methods.

Grain storage losses occur due to two primary categories of factors:

1. Biotic factors: Living organisms including insects, rodents, mites, fungi, bacteria, and birds that feed on, contaminate, or spoil stored grains.
2. Abiotic factors: Non-living environmental conditions such as inappropriate moisture content in grains, high humidity, and improper temperature during storage. \nTwo prevention methods are:
3. Strict cleaning and thorough sun-drying of grains before storage to reduce moisture content below 12%.
4. Chemical fumigation and usage of natural repellents like dried neem leaves in properly sealed, moisture-proof storage structures.