On the Issue of Storing Seed Grain in a Vacuum Container

Abstract

The article presents a fundamentally new technology for storing seed material in conditions typical for small and medium-sized farms. (Research purpose) The research purpose is in studying a container with a controlled air and gas environment in it. (Materials and methods) The article presents studies in order to obtain initial data for calculating the volume of the carbon dioxide storage tank using an original laboratory installation consisting of a sealed container with a vacuum gauge mounted on the lid. The process of seed respiration is characterized by the respiratory coefficient Kd, which is determined by the ratio of the volume of carbon dioxide released to the volume of oxygen absorbed in the air. (Results and discussion) During the aerobic respiration of seeds in the container, the composition of the air in the intergranular space is constantly changing, while the content of carbon dioxide increases and oxygen decreases. When determining the mass of the air medium, it is possible to obtain an expression that obeys the Mendeleev - Klayperon equation for an ideal gas for external climatic conditions, on the basis of which it is possible to calculate the mass content of carbon dioxide in the air mixture. (Conclusions) The article recommends the technology of storing seed grain in a sealed container with a controlled air environment and a system of forced aeration of the grain mass. It is necessary to create and maintain a vacuum of the air mixture in the working volume of the sealed container within 0.66 MPa. The forced aeration of the grain embankment should be started when the oxygen content in the air mixture located in the carbon dioxide storage tank exceeds 7 percent.