2005 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? The objective of this cooperative research project is to find rapid, safe alternative methods to chemical pesticides against insect infestations of paddy rice. Alternatives are needed by the rice industry to replace the planned decommissioning of currently licensed pesticides. Preliminary research has shown that electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency and infrared range are promising technologies to be evaluated for their effectiveness in eliminating adult insects, larvae and eggs, and improving milling quality and sensory characteristics. 4d.Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a trust agreement between ARS and a commodity cooperator. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 5325-41440-004-00D, Processing and Biotechnological Improvement of Foods to Prevent Obesity-Related and Other Degenerative Diseases. The research investigated the use of infrared and radio frequency methods to eliminate insect pests from paddy rice. The effects of such treatments on rice moisture removal and quality were studied.