Effect of Storage Conditions on Germination in Wheat

Abstract

The percentage germination was determined for storage of wheat at four grain moisture contents (15, 18, 21 and 24 %), four temperature levels (4, 15, 25 and 40°C) and three levels of mechanical damage (0, 15 and 30 %). The effect of each level of moisture was investigated using three replicates for each temperature and each level of mechanical damage. During storage, at 0.25, 0.5 and 1 % dry matter loss (DML), germination tests were carried out on samples taken from each of the above treatments. The percentage germination was compared statistically amongst treatments. The analysis showed significant differences among most of the treatments. The percentage germination decreased very slowly at a low moisture level (15 %), low temperature (4°C) and low level of damage (0 %), while it decreased rapidly at a high moisture level (24 %), high temperature (40°C) and high level of damage (30 %). For example, the percentage germination was 41 % when the wheat was stored at 4°C, 15 % mechanical damage and 24 % moisture content after a storage time of 36.5 days, while the percentage germination was 88.3 % when the wheat was stored at 4°C, 15 % mechanical damage and 15 % moisture content after a storage time of 104 days.