Effects of commonly used storage methods, chemical treatment and storage period on maize grains quality in Ejura-Sekyedumasi Municipality in the Ashanti Region

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2016-10-04
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Postharvest losses in maize production especially during storage, is a major and big challenge in maize growing areas in Ghana. Consequently, the study was undertaken to investigate and come out with suitable storage methods which would minimize both qualitative and quantitative losses of maize during storage. A field survey and laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of some storage methods namely: jute sack, polypropylene sack, plastic drum, hermetic triple-layer bag, clay pot and heaping on floor used by farmers in Ejura-Sekyedumasi Municipality, in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, on postharvest quality characteristics of stored Obatanpa maize grains. The experiment was set up in a 6 x 2 x 4 factorial laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) replicated three times. For each treatment, five kilogram of Obatanpa, treated with Actellic Super and Phostoxin at the recommended rates was stored for a period of four months at ambient conditions. At every one month of storage interval, destructive sampling of 1kg of grains was taken randomly from each treatment for the determination of grain quality parameters including moisture content, weight loss, grain damage, grain colour and odour changes and level of insect pest infestation. Hermetic triple- layer bag proved superior in recording the least weight loss (5.76%) within four months of storage followed by plastic drum (7.38%), clay pot (7.98%), jute sack (10.31%), polypropylene sack (10.98%) and heaping on floor (14.62%). The use of hermetic triple-layer bag and plastic drum significantly minimized grain damage, moisture content number of insect pests that caused grain damage and had no effect on grain colour and odour. Reduction in proximate and minerals composition of maize grains were significantly lowest in grains stored in hermetic triple-layer sack and plastic drum compared to grains stored in jute sack, polypropylene sack, clay pot and heaping on floor methods. The quality parameters studied were significantly affected by storage duration. Grain moisture content, insect infestation, grain damage and weight loss showed an increasing trend with an extended period of storage. With the two grain protectants (Actellic Super and Phostoxin) used, Phostoxin gave a desirable result than Actellic Super as far as moisture content was concerned. In this regard, Phostoxin fumigation was effective method to maintain the quality of stored maize grains. In this regard, it is concluded that for better short term and long term storage of maize grains, it is preferable to use hermetic triple-layer bags and plastic drums in combination with Phostoxin treatment to maintain postharvest quality characteristics of stored maize grains.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Research and Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Master of Philosophy (Mphil.) Postharvest technology degree By Emmanuel Frimpong April, 2016
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