Commercial utilization of inert atmosphere silo for maize storage

• Published in: IOP conference series. Earth and environmental science Vol. 445; no. 1; pp. 12046 - 12052
• Main Authors: Oyewole, S N, Gbabe, E K, Olayanju, A M, Adebiyi, A O, Ogunbiyi, O A, Abel, G I, Ogundare, M O, Adarabierin, I G, Olayemi, F F, Okunola, A A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.02.2020
• Subjects: Acceptable noise levels; Atmosphere; Cereals; Climate; Commercial farms; Composition; Corn; Farm buildings; Germinability; Grain; Grain silos; Inert atmospheres; Insects; Loads (forces); Microorganisms; Moisture content; Statistical analysis; Statistical methods; Storage; Stored products; Water content
• ISSN: 1755-1307; 1755-1315
• DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/445/1/012046

Inert atmosphere silo (IAS) has been advocated by Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) as a sustainable alternative to the use of conventional silos and synthetic chemicals for grains storage in tropical climates. A battery of two units of 250 tonnes IAS installed at the commercial farm of Landmark University Omu-Aran by NSPRI was evaluated for maize storage. Quality parameters such as proximate compositions and microbial loads were determined and their respective results subjected to T-Test statistical analysis. The results of the analysis showed a slight increase in moisture content from 10.57 % to 10.66 % (db) after 6 months of storage. During the storage period, insect infestation was completely suppressed and quality of the grain was maintained, as there was no significant difference at (P≤ 0.05) in the proximate compositions of the initial and final samples. There was significant difference (P≤0.05) in bacteria loads and fungi counts of the initial and final samples. Reduction in microbial loads was experienced and the values obtained were within acceptable limits (104 Cfu/g) recommended for cereals. The germinability of the maize was maintained at 96 % after 6 months; thus indicating effectiveness of the technology for commercial storage of maize seed.