Effects of dehumidifier drying on the storage life of maize

摘要

Seed of a quality protein maize variety, Obatanpa, was harvested, shelled, cleaned and dried to 11% moisture using a conventional drier. Some were dried further in a dehumidifier to 8% moisture. These seeds stored in sealed polythene bags at 10degC and at ambient (2-31degC) had 95% germination after 18 months. Seeds with 11% moisture stored at 10degC were similar, but those stored under ambient conditions dropped below the acceptable level of 85% in nine months. Drying in the dehumidifier to 8% moistureappeared to be financially cost-effective.