Abstract
Postharvest management intervention of wheat grain needs to be examined from technological quality perspectives before its introduction to end-users. Local and improved methods of grain storage cause a lot of losses in terms of physical and Physico-chemical properties. These losses could be improved by providing appropriate storage materials at all agro-ecologies. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different grain storage materials on the physical and physicochemical properties of stored wheat at different locations. The experiment included three treatments; (Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS), polypropylene bags, and Jute bags) at different agro-ecological locations; midland (Debrezeit), lowland (Werer), and highland (Kulumsa). Wheat, Lemu variety was stored in triplicate (25 Kilogram/container) for six months (December 2018 - June 2018) under normal environmental conditions in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replication times Wheat stored in Jute bag at lowland for 6 months had lower final germination percentage, lower gluten index, and higher falling number value. In addition, wheat stored at lowland in jute bag had reduced hardness index value. Meanwhile, wheat stored in a Jute bag at midland for 6 months had a lower final germination percentage, lower hectoliter weight but, insignificant change in the hardness index value. Wheat stored at low land, midland, and highland in a jute bag for 4 and 6 months had shown increment in protein content. Wheat stored at midland in jute bag and PICS for 6 months had lower hectoliter weight and flour yield percentage. Besides, wheat stored at midland in a jute bag for 4 months of storage had higher wet and dry gluten content but, lower gluten index value. This condition may pose a negative influence on the baking performance of flour from wheat stored at lowland and with traditional jut bags. From this study, it can be concluded that PICS bags at all storage sites had Significant effective storage materials to preserve wheat grains. Further investigation, however, is very important to evaluate the influence of these treatments on the end-use qualities including baking quality.
Highlights
Wheat is the staple food for most of the world's population
As table 1 describes wheat stored in Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS), Propylene and Jute bag at Werer, Debrezeit, and Kulumsa for 2 months had no significant difference from the control in hardness, weight, and diameter except Kulumsa PICS (29.49 mg, 2.48 mm respectively) and Propylene (30.59 mg, 2.52 mm), which have shown a significant decrease in weight and diameter to the control (31.62 mg, 2.58 mm respectively) of the wheat stored for 2 months
As described in table 1 wheat stored in PICS, Polypropylene and Jute bag at Werer, Debrezeit, and Kulumsa for 4 months had no significant difference from the control in hardness, weight, and diameter except Kulumsa Propylene which have shown a significant decrease in hardness and weight (75.81%, 29.69 mg respectively ) compared to the control (79.78%, 31.62 mg respectively ); Debrezeit Jute bag has shown a significant increase in hardness (82.10%) compared to the control (79.78%) of the wheat stored for 4 months
Summary
Wheat is the staple food for most of the world's population. a lot of grain is damaged and/or wasted during storage in developing countries where a huge quantity of grain is stored at the household level. Deterioration of produce may begin in fields before harvesting, which further aggravates during improper storage. Different factors such as improved varieties, use of inorganic fertilizer and increased awareness through extension education have contributed to significantly improve wheat productivity per unit area [5]. Despite these advances, Ethiopia still imports wheat for local consumption. Ethiopia still imports wheat for local consumption In this context, improved post-harvest management practices may enhance food security in many African countries [6]. The primary factors affecting grain storage are moisture, temperature, and humidity of the storage environment. other factors responsible for deterioration are poor
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