Examination of effects of variation in weather conditions on the quality of stored maize grains.

Abstract

Maize grains play a major role in enhancing world's economic growth as well as acting as food security. However, the world is suffering from- starvation due to famine and this is because of increased grain losses. These losses -are attributed to variation in weather conditions (namely: relative humidity, temperature and air) which always affect grains quality during storage. Therefore. this study was aimed at examining the effects of weather variations: on the quality of stored maize grains in •terms of grain viability, moisture content, AmyloViscosity and rigidity. The study was. conducted on one maize variety i.e. Longe 5. Three samples •Were used, where two samples were subjected to varying weather conditions whereas the other sample (control sample) was subjected to constant conditions. The grains were stored in a conditioned room for 30 days. The conditions in the storage room- were effected using a humidifier, heater and an air blower. The grains' quality before storage was assessed. After 30 days of Storage time, the grains.' quality after storage was also assessed. grains quality in terms of viability, moisture content, AmyloViscosity and rigidity was determined using germination test, Moisture meter., Brabender and rigidity tester respectively. The grains moisture content increased from 13.5% before storage to 13.58%, 13.55% and] 35] % for different the two samples stored in varying weather conditions and in constant conditions respectively. The viability remained at 98% before and after storage. AmyloViscosity reduced from 254.54BU before storage to -254.47BU, 254.45BU, for the samples stored in varying weather conditions and Constant conditions respectively. The gain rigidity reduced from 14.22N before storage to 14.03N, 14.15Nt 14.20. for the two samples stored in. varying weather conditions and sample of grains stored in constant conditions, The study therefore showed that the quality of maize grains is compromised by variation in weather conditions.