24 research outputs found
Efficacy Of Traditional Maize ( Zea Mays L.) Seed Storage Methods In Western Kenya
Seed security is key to the attainment of household food security among
resource poor farmers in developing countries. In a baseline survey
carried out in Siaya and Busia Districts of Western Kenya, storage was
identified as a priority problem facing onfarm seed production. During
the survey, it was found that about 80% of the farmers produce and
store their own seeds for planting in the next cropping season. During
this process of seed saving, farmers reported some decline in seed
quality thus leading to poor germination and eventually poor yields. A
storage experiment was, therefore, set up with the objective of
improving the efficacy of traditional maize seed storage methods in
maintaining seed viability and vigour as compared to some improved
ones. The traditional methods included hanging cobs over the fireplace
and storing in gunny bags with cow dung ash as the seed treatment.
These were compared with seed treatment using Mortein Doom®, a
modern seed protectant and cow dung ash; in both cases seeds were
stored in airtight containers. These treatments were applied on two
maize varieties: Rachar, a local variety and Maseno Double Cobber, an
improved variety and the experiment was carried out in the houses of
four farmers. Quality analysis of the seeds was done first before
storage and then after three and six months of storage. The results
indicate that the traditional methods had the poorest performance. They
had significantly lower vigour after three and six months' storage and
recorded significantly higher insect damage. Seeds hung above the
fireplace had the highest insect damage and this was about 99% higher
than the damage recorded for seeds treated with ash and stored in
airtight plastic containers. Seeds hung above the fireplace also had
significantly higher moisture content increase. The best treatment was
storage in airtight containers with either Mortein Doom® or cow
dung ash as the seed treatment. Genetic differences in storability
between the 2 varieties were not observed. This study concluded that
the principle of airtight, though not new, should be used to design low
cost seed storage containers for resource-poor farmers which will
result in better seed quality. The study further shows that cow dung
which is freely available in most homesteads is a good seed protectant
and is effective in maintaining seed quality in storage. Cow dung ash
should therefore be combined with air tight storage to increase the
seed longevity
Efficacy of traditional maize (Zea mays L.) seed storage methods in western Kenya.
Seed security is key to the attainment of household food security among
resource poor farmers in developing countries. In a baseline survey
carried out in Siaya and Busia Districts of Western Kenya, storage was
identified as a priority problem facing onfarm seed production. During
the survey, it was found that about 80% of the farmers produce and
store their own seeds for planting in the next cropping season. During
this process of seed saving, farmers reported some decline in seed
quality thus leading to poor germination and eventually poor yields. A
storage experiment was, therefore, set up with the objective of
improving the efficacy of traditional maize seed storage methods in
maintaining seed viability and vigour as compared to some improved
ones. The traditional methods included hanging cobs over the fireplace
and storing in gunny bags with cow dung ash as the seed treatment.
These were compared with seed treatment using Mortein Doom®, a
modern seed protectant and cow dung ash; in both cases seeds were
stored in airtight containers. These treatments were applied on two
maize varieties: Rachar, a local variety and Maseno Double Cobber, an
improved variety and the experiment was carried out in the houses of
four farmers. Quality analysis of the seeds was done first before
storage and then after three and six months of storage. The results
indicate that the traditional methods had the poorest performance. They
had significantly lower vigour after three and six months' storage and
recorded significantly higher insect damage. Seeds hung above the
fireplace had the highest insect damage and this was about 99% higher
than the damage recorded for seeds treated with ash and stored in
airtight plastic containers. Seeds hung above the fireplace also had
significantly higher moisture content increase. The best treatment was
storage in airtight containers with either Mortein Doom® or cow
dung ash as the seed treatment. Genetic differences in storability
between the 2 varieties were not observed. This study concluded that
the principle of airtight, though not new, should be used to design low
cost seed storage containers for resource-poor farmers which will
result in better seed quality. The study further shows that cow dung
which is freely available in most homesteads is a good seed protectant
and is effective in maintaining seed quality in storage. Cow dung ash
should therefore be combined with air tight storage to increase the
seed longevity
Low‐cost modified‐atmosphere hermetic storage structures to reduce storage losses of maize (Zea mays L.) cobs and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) heads
Production and marketing of cereal grains are some of the main activities in developing countries to ensure food security. However, the food gap is complicated further by high postharvest loss of grains during storage. This study aimed to compare low‐cost modified‐atmosphere hermetic storage structures with traditional practice to minimize quantitative and qualitative losses of grains during storage. The study was conducted in two phases: in the first phase, seven hermetic storage structures with or without smoke infusion were compared, and one selected structure was further validated at scaled‐up capacity in the second phase