Hermetic Storage as a Solution for Prolonged Storage

Hermetic Storage as a Solution for Prolonged Storage of Seed Presentation to Purdue Hermetic Storage Conference April 10 -12, 2012 Accra, Ghana

Rule of Harrington (1972) “ Life of seed is halved: a. for each 5 o increase in seed storage temperature b. for each 1% increase in seed moisture content “

rice seeds held in airtight storage outlive seeds held in open storage provided they are adequately dried before they are placed in airtight storage …. . Rice seeds dried by high heat before sealing were dead after 26 to 28 years, but seeds dried by the sun to 11 -13 % MC were stored safely for 30 years” “… (Kondo and Okumura, Japan 1930 -1932)

Methodology STORAGE METHODS Plastic material : Polyvinyl chloride Hermetic storage Capacity : 7. 5 cu m Dimension : 2. 95 x 1. 70 x 1. 5 m Thickness : 0. 80 – 0. 85 mm Color : White Fabrication : HF welded

Methodology BUILDING OF EXPERIMENTAL PILES Grain. Pro Cocoon Bottom section Loading/piling Top section Zipper keys Weighing Height capacity Complete set-up

Salient Findings OXYGEN CONCENTRATION

Salient Findings TEMPERATURE

Salient Findings RELATIVE HUMIDITY

Salient Findings SEED GERMINATION

Salient Findings SEED VIGOR

Salient Findings MOISTURE CONTENT

Summarizing q Under HS conditions germination can be preserved for long time. Longest track record is 14 months q HS performs better than AC storage and almost as good as cold storage q Seed vigor is kept high q Findings of trials with other Grain. Pro products as Super. Grainbags, Grain. Safes show same results as Grain. Pro Cocoons q Results with maize, sorghum, soybeans are similar

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