Explain the various preventive measures which are taken before storing the food grains.

Biotic and abiotic factors which cause destruction of grains during storage can be prevented by the following methods:

(i) Drying - The harvested food grains should be dried by spreading them over plastic sheets or cemented floors. All the sun dried food grains are allowed to cool to room temperature before storing them.

(ii) Cleaning - The grains should be properly cleaned before storage. They should be filled in new gunny bags before keeping in godowns, warehouses or stores.