Assessment of the effectiveness of storage structures for maintaining the quality of maize seed stored at different moisture levels

Abstract

One of the main causes of food insecurity is the timely unavailability of quality seeds for smallholder farmers in developing countries. Improved storage technologies are effective in reducing storage losses. Thus, the objective of this research is to assess the traditional and emerging seed storage structures/materials for the maintenance of seed qualities. The effect of different storage conditions (moisture content of seed at the time of storage, i.e. 12±0.15% and 13.5±0.18%; storage containers such as metal bin, earthen pot, Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bag, and jute bag) on seed qualities of maize were assessed. The seed was collected from Chitwan, Nepal and a laboratory experiment was conducted at the central seed testing laboratory, seed quality control center (SQQC), Hariharbhawan, Lalitpur. The experiment was done using a two-factor complete randomized design in a four replicates design. Data regarding the seed qualities (seed moisture percentage, germination percentage, root and shoot length, and vigor index) just before store and also at 45, 90, 135, 180, and 240 days after storage (DAS) was performed as per the standard followed by International Seed Testing Association (ISTA). The germination percentage, root, and shoot length decreased with increasing storage duration. The seed stored in the higher moisture level had significantly higher seed moisture throughout the storage duration. Seed stored in the traditional structures (jute bag and earthen pot) had lower seed moisture at 120 and 180 DAS. The seed stored at lower moisture resulted in a higher germination percentage, long root, and shoot length. Up to six months of storage germination of maize seeds stored in the earthen pots, PICS bag, and Jute bags were statistically similar. The traditional storage structures are equally effective for the maintenance of seed quality of maize.

Impact of storage technologies and duration on insect pest population, post‐harvest losses, and seed quality of stored chickpea in Ethiopia

“…In contrast, the moisture content in the hermetic bags remained at safe storage levels throughout the entire 6‐month storage period. These findings align with previous studies that have demonstrated the effectiveness of hermetic bags in maintaining stable seed moisture content 14,15,18,36 . Similar results have been reported for other crops, such as green grams, where moisture content increased in PP and jute bags but remained consistent in hermetic bags over a 6‐month storage period 37 .…”

“…In the current study, significantly higher levels of chickpea grain damage (ranging from 14.3% to 35.5%), weight loss (8.3% to 22%), and dockage (1%) were observed in non‐hermetic storage units compared to hermetic bags, which exhibited mean values of 2.2% to 3.2%, 0.43% to 1.27%, and 0.3% for grain damage, weight loss, and dockage, respectively. Similar findings have been reported in various other stored agricultural products such as common bean, 38 field pea, 16 green gram, 37 Dolichos Bean, 43 chickpea, 14 cowpea, 41 maize, 15,22,36,39,47 and wheat, 29 highlighting the higher levels of grain damage and weight loss in grains stored in traditional storage facilities compared to improved hermetic storage technologies.…”

“…These findings align with previous studies that have demonstrated the effectiveness of hermetic bags in maintaining stable seed moisture content. 14,15,18,36 Similar results have been reported for other crops, such as green grams, where moisture content increased in PP and jute bags but remained consistent in hermetic bags over a 6-month storage period. 37 The ability of hermetic bags to block moisture flow from the atmosphere into the grains 16,22,38,39 and to exclude oxygen, 16,17,37 which is necessary for the respiration process of insect pests, contributes to the maintenance of safe storage moisture content in hermetic bags for prolonged storage durations.…”

“…Hermetic storage methods, such as Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags, Super GrainPro (SGP) bags, and metal silos, have gained popularity due to their effectiveness and pesticide‐free nature 14–18 . These storage technologies create an airtight environment that inhibits insect and mold development through increased carbon dioxide levels and decreased oxygen content 19 .…”

“…7 Hermetic storage methods, such as Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags, Super GrainPro (SGP) bags, and metal silos, have gained popularity due to their effectiveness and pesticide-free nature. [14][15][16][17][18] These storage technologies create an airtight environment that inhibits insect and mold development through increased carbon dioxide levels and decreased oxygen content. 19 Finding secure and efficient storage options to protect the quantity and quality of chickpeas at the smallholder farmer level is crucial, considering the significant volume of chickpeas produced, consumed, exported, and the overall storage losses caused by insect pests.…”