Effective and economic storage of wheat seed in straw-clay bin.

Abstract

The majority of farmers in Sindh province of Pakistan store wheat seed in traditional storage structures. These structures usually increase seed moisture and temperature of storage up to the levels that favor the proliferation of insects and fungi and results in seed deterioration. Considering the seed storage problem, the present study was performed. Straw-clay bins retain low moisture conditions for extended storage duration better than conventional bulk covered store. Seed stored in bulk covered store suffered severe deterioration caused by fungi, while straw-clay bins protected seed from these losses. Wheat seed stored for 12 months in straw-clay bins maintained better seed germination percentage, test weight, protein content and ash/mineral content than seed stored in bulk covered store. There was a minimum loss of quality of wheat in straw-clay bin as compare to bulk covered store. Hence, the adoption of the straw-clay bin must be encouraged in the developing countries to save their seeds and goods to reduce the losses as well as raise the food security, poverty alleviation and national economy.