Gaseous Ozone for the Control of Sitophilus zeamais Eggs and the Quality of Corn Seeds During Storage

The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of ozone on the control of S. zeamais eggs in corn seeds and to evaluate potential impacts on physiological quality following ozonation and during storage. Ozonation was carried out with an inlet concentration of 2 mg L−1 and a flow rate of 2.0 m3 min−1 t−1. Saturation occurred after 32.2 min, reaching a concentration of 1.5 mg L−1. Insect emergence (30 to 50 days) and seed quality (0 to 180 days) were evaluated. Ozone effectively controlled the eggs after 24 h of treatment. In non-ozonated seeds, an average of 11.5 ± 6.8 insects emerged, whereas in treatments lasting 6 h or more, the average was ≤0.5 insects. Germination remained above 85% across all treatments, with no significant changes observed in the regression for mean germination time or germination speed. Electrical conductivity increased with longer ozonation and storage durations, ranging from 19.1 µS cm−1 g−1 in the control to 21.9 µS cm−1 g−1 after 24 h. Ozone treatment at 2.0 mg L−1 and a flow rate of 2.0 m3 min−1 t−1 effectively controls S. zeamais eggs, particularly with 24 h of exposure, without compromising the physiological quality of the seeds during storage.