Farmers Store Research Articles

Practices and Knowledge of Smallholder Farmers Towards Safe Pesticide Management in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia

In recent years, safe pesticide management has become increasingly important. Thus the research was aimed to evaluate the current state of pesticide management practices and farmers knowledge. The study deployed a multistage sampling technique to select participant districts and the respondents. About 268 sample respondents were drawn from six districts of East Gojjam zone. The results revealed that the majority of the farmers (69.45%) store their pesticides in their houses that they perceive anybody can’t be reached. Farmers were found to have poor practices of using face masks, overalls, goggles, and gloves. Farmers frequently engaged in good practices of washing and calibrating spraying machines. Around 57.22%, 41.9%, and 38.9% of farmers visit their freshly sprayed fields within 24 hours of spraying insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, respectively without using personal protective equipment. Farmers demonstrated proficiency in several hygienic practices including taking a bath, changing clothes, and washing cloths immediately after spraying. Participant farmers experienced various health symptoms after spraying pesticides. The majority of the farmers were cognizant on exposure routs of pesticides. However, they didn't understand the intended pictogram messages from pesticide containers. The study demonstrated that improper pesticide management had an impact on both the environment and farmers' health. Thus, there is a need to improve farmers' knowledge and skills by offering regular awareness-raising training on safe pesticide management techniques.

Design, Construction and Performance Evaluation of Cotton Fabric Layer Materials in Micro-Capillary Absorptive Evaporative Cooling

Global warming and climate change are environmental issues and they can drive the necessity for efficient cooling materials in energy-efficient cold storage. A sustainable alkali-treated cotton fabric layers used as evaporative cooling system that could assist the local farmers store and extend their produce with minimal energy use. The study aims to develop an efficient evaporative cooling system using alkali-treated cotton fabric layers used as a noble cooling material. From the analytical measurements, the maximum airflow temperature drops and wet bulb depression were 3.4 and 8.95 in the day in January 2022, 2.85 and 7.35 in the day in March 2022, and 1.05 and 6.4 in the day in December 2021 mid-day operations. While maximum cooling efficiency fell in the range of 53.97%, 53.00%, and 23.08% at about 0.44 m/s airflow velocities, respectively in January 2022, March 2022, and December 2021 mid-day test operations. The corresponding cooling capacities of the three mid-days’ operations in January 2022, March 2022, and December 2021 also calculated, and the results were 44.84 w, 13.85 w, and 37.57 w. The results show the direct proportional relationship between airflow velocities and cooling performance in the developed capillary absorptive evaporative cooling. Further research into different fabric layer geometric configurations and airflow dehumidifier composite adsorbed bed layer is necessary to improve cold air production and excel energy efficiency.

Post-harvest Problems of Cowpeas Faced by Farmers in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Post-harvest losses in cowpea have been a problem for cowpea farmers in Madagali Local Government Area. These losses are mainly due to insect pest attacks and spillage during post-harvest handling operations. To determine the post-harvest problems of cowpea. Five farming communities were selected, and twenty cowpea farmers from each community represented the entire population, resulting in a total of one hundred farmers. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents. The questionnaires were scored using a 4-point Likert scale. The collected data were subjected to descriptive statistics using Microsoft Excel. According to the study, the majority of farmers asserted that steel drums were the best storage technique, with the highest mean score of 3.39, while rhomboidal storage techniques had the lowest mean score of 2.15 in the study area. Pests had the highest mean score of 3.12, which was considered the major problem in cowpea storage, while lack of knowledge about the storage facility had the lowest mean score of 1.94 and was considered a minor storage problem in the study area. However, the use of proper insecticides had the highest mean score of 3.32 and was considered the best method of pest control for cowpea in the study area, while the use of silos with a mean score of 2.16 was considered a less effective method for controlling pests in cowpea in the study area. Most farmers store their cowpea for five to six months to prevent pest damage.

Comparison of hermetic and conventional bags for maize seed preservation in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major cereal crop used as a staple food worldwide for decades. Farmers store their produce in porous polypropylene bags under humid conditions which negatively affects their quality. In this study, maize seeds were stored in hermetic and conventional bags with an initial seed moisture content of 13.5% (wet basis) and 96.3% germination for 8 months at four major maize growing districts (Athmuqam, Hattian Bala, Muzaffarabad and Rawlakot) of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Due to high ambient relative humidity conditions (>80%), an increase in moisture was observed in seeds stored in porous conventional bags (14. 7%). This increase was because of high initial relative humidity conditions (79–85%) in conventional bags. Seed moisture content remained unchanged in hermetic bags and internal humidity was 59–60%. As a result of hermetic conditions, germination and seed integrity were maintained in hermetic bags compared to conventional woven bags. Germination drastically decreased in conventional bags and fell to 9 % (Athmuqam), 13 % (Hattian Bala), 11 % (Muzaffarabad) and 12 % (Rawlakot). Higher physical quality losses of maize in conventional bags were because of infestation activity of live insect pest populations (S. zeamais, R. dominica and T. castaneum) that initiated 21.7–23.7 % weight loss in polypropylene bags. Hermetic bags protected seeds from insect pest attack and maintained seed quality. Higher contamination of aflatoxin B1, G1, B2 and G2 (ppb) was recorded in seeds stored in conventional bags as compared to hermetic bags. Aflatoxin B1 was maximum in conventional bag at Hattian Bala (8.93 ppb) followed by Muzaffarabad (6.68 ppb), Athmuqam (5.02 ppb) and Rawlakot (0.71 ppb). In conclusion, the use of hermetic dry chain storage preserves maize seed quality and thus can have a significant impact on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers of humid areas.

Different manure management methods impact on nitrogen use efficiency - comparison of four dairy farms in Hokkaido Japan

Different manure management methods impact on nitrogen use efficiency - comparison of four dairy farms in Hokkaido Japan

PV Based Automatic Irrigation System

Pakistan is an agricultural country and requires an adequate supply of water for irrigation throughout the year. Water is one of the most precious natural resources and its effectual management is a main concern in various agricultural systems around the world. The major problem is the water accumulation by the wealthy farmers store water for their own fields and allow water to pass to other farmers after receiving the money. Secondly, most of the time water wastage occurs due to over watering, it is because there is very large area in the fields (in acres) that is very difficult for the famers to supervise all the area. Similarly, sometime there is inadequate water supply, which cause the damage of crops or results in lesser yield on some section of the field. This paper presents solution of the mentioned problems and increasing the hold of Indus River Systems Authority (IRSA) on the irrigation mechanism so that the required quantity of water can only be delivered at the specific time for each field (as per requiring output from sensors grounded in field). The presented system consists of implement of the sensors in each corner of the fields, when the sensor value (in voltage) goes to satisfied number it sends notification to IRSA and if the water level goes to danger level, it will automatically close the gate from where water is released. New water system with electrical control advancements can improve water utilization proficiency, compelling water sparing and diminishing the natural affects. The target of the presented system is to dodge wastage of water and enhance efficiency of irrigation by utilizing a PLC based irrigation framework with the assistance of soil dampness sensors. An automatic control system of gates helps to close or open the gates if the water level in soil reaches a critical value. The motivation behind this work was to create a self-administering water supply framework that works on utilization of a solitary model according to which; the water supply follows a pre-supplied timetable along-with the monitoring of the in-field conditions, prompting a sensible sparing in the measure of water supply. It should likewise be dependable and effectively deployable to work under cruel outside conditions without the requirement for oversight or customary checking. The deployed electronic system can be powered through solar energy. The developed mechanism can make farmers capable of fulfilling their irrigation needs besides the PV based generated extra electricity can be shared or sold to neighbors or water and power Development authority (WAPDA).

THE LEVEL OF EMPOWERMENT OF RICE FARMERS IN PEGAYUT VILLAGE OGAN ILIR KABUPATEN DISTRICT

This study aims to determine the level of empowerment of rice farmers in Pegayut village, Ogan Ilir Regency. This type of research is descriptive research with a quantitative approach. Data collection techniques were carried out using questionnaires and documentation. The population in this study, namely rice farmers in Pegayut village as many as 162 people, using the calculation with the Slovin formula and obtained a sample of 62 respondents. Validity test with a significant level of 5%. The reliability test using the Cronbach Alpha formula obtained a value of 0.893 with very high reliability criteria. The results showed that the level of empowerment of rice farmers in Pegayut village was 76% with high category. This can be seen from the indicators of empowerment, namely 1) the fulfillment of basic needs of farmers by 76.55% in the high category, 2) the ability of farmers to manage agricultural information by 72.92% in the high category, 3) the ability of farmers to make decisions by 81 .15% in the high category, is said to be high because farmers are able to meet their daily needs in terms of clothing, food and shelter and the educational needs of children, farmers are able to manage agricultural information very well and are able to make good decisions. Then, 4) the ability of farmers to market their products is 61.15% with sufficient category, and 5) the ability of farmers to apply agricultural technology is 69.64% with sufficient category, this is because most farmers store their agricultural products and sell them if there are buyers and some farmers still grow rice using the traditional way. As for suggestions for rice farmers to further improve their ability to market their products and build cooperation between communities in order to create farmer groups.Keywords: Empowerment Level, Rice Farmers

Isolation, molecular characterization and first report of Dothiorella gregaria associated with fruit rot of walnuts of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Walnuts are known for their high levels of antioxidants, which are linked to various health benefits. However, challenges related to distribution and storage, as well as the risk of fungal infections, can affect the quality of walnut kernels. Fungal pathogens from the Botryosphaeriaceae family, including Dothiorella species and Diplodia species, can damage fruit and reduce its antioxidant content. To comprehend the cause of fruit rot in walnuts, Dothiorella gregaria isolates were studied using polyphasic methods, including multiple gene sequences and morphological identification, as well as analysis of polyphenol content and pathogenicity. The walnuts kernels purchased from market places of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India were observed to be affected by Dothiorella gregaria species causing the quality detoriation and decrease in polyphenol content thus undeniably with decreased antioxidant properties. D. gregaria Infected walnut kernels were having some brown and black spots and some were having white mycelial growth and however, most samples were asymptomatic. Pathogenicity testing revealed that the pathogen was able to develop all the symptoms under experimental conditions and the reisolated pathogen was morphologically similar to D. gregaria. The samples infected with this pathogen showed considerable decrease in polyphenol content, 10.9±2.66 mgGAE/g (mean±standard deviation) thus decreased antioxidant quality as compared to the samples which showed zero incidence of this pathogen, 52.50±4.27 mgGAE/g (mean±standard deviation). Furthermore, the pathogen was studied using polyphasic approach involving morphological, molecular and phylogenetic analysis. Combined nucleotide dataset of nuclear ribosomal ITS and tef1-α revealed that Dothiorella gregaria (NY6) formed a clade with Dothiorlla iberica (MAEC33), Dothiorella sarmentorium (MAEC28) and Dothiorella iberica (CAA905) strains with 83% bootstrap support. Besides, we observed six nucleotide changes, four were insertions or deletions and two were substitutions in the 502-bp region of the ITS rRNA gene when we compared our isolate to the most equivalent sequences submitted to NCBI GenBank. This is the first report of Dothiorella gregaria affecting walnuts purchased from various markets in J&K, India, causing fruit rot in walnuts after harvest. Given that local farmers store and export walnuts, it could pose an emerging threat to their livelihood. Thus, creating post-harvesting interventions for D. gregaria and knowing more about the fruit rot in walnuts can be benefited from morphological and molecular identification using several gene loci, genetic variability in the ITS rRNA gene, and total phenol analysis.

Maize seeds storage systems and post-harvest losses in Benin: diversity, efficiency, storage insects, and implications for better products conservation

Background: Storage pests cause extensive damages to stored products and are responsible for huge post-harvest losses affecting the quality, quantity, and germination potential of stored grains and seeds. This study aimed to investigate the variability of traditional methods of storage and conservation of maize seeds practiced by farmers to propose alternative measures for a significant reduction of post-harvest losses of seeds. Methods : Using participatory research approaches, we surveyed farmers from 21 randomly selected villages in 5 districts in southern Benin. Data were collected on the storage structures of the 3 certified and most produced maize seeds varieties. The forms under which maize seeds are stored, as well as the damage caused by the major storage insects, were determined. Results: Results showed that most farmers store maize seeds in the form of grains and spathe. Following the laboratory observation of the three maize varieties studied, the DMR / QPM variety produced only in the district of Zagnanado has a low abundance of storage insects and a low rate of post-harvest losses. Sitophilus zeamais is the most abundant pest of the three maize seed varieties followed by Prostephanus truncatus. The variety 2000 SYN EE was the most attacked by storage insects. The most promising post-harvest agricultural practice is the storage of maize with spathe saved in jute bags, in granaries or cribs. Conclusions: Storage insects contribute to the depreciation of the quality of grains, loss of grain and reduction of their germinability in stock. Improving farmers' awareness of these post-harvest practices could help to reduce the damage of storage insects.

Factors Affecting Delivery Performance of Pamarican District Farmers' Unhulled Rice Grain Supply Chain System of Ciamis Regency with PT Mitra Desa Pamarican

One of the problems in fulfilling the staple food consumption of rice in Indonesia is the rice distribution system. Delivery performance is one of the important measurements in the supply chain system since it is an indicator of the accuracy of the quantity and time of grain delivery from rice farmers involved in partnership with PT MDP. Respondents used in this study consisted of 30 rice farmers chosen through purposive sampling technique in Pamarican District, Ciamis Regency, West Java. The analytical method used is multiple linear regression or multiple linear regression model with Ordinary Least Square to analyze the influence of the distance of the farmer to the grain collection point, the length of time the farmer makes inventory, the experience of farming, the farmer's storage capacity, and the method of payment for grain or the transaction system on the delivery performance. The results of the analysis show the variables of distance, inventory, and transaction systems. The distance variable has a significant positive effect, the inventory variable has a significant negative effect, and the cash transaction system will improve the delivery performance of farmers to PT MDP. Farmers make cost efficiency for grain delivery by collecting grain first. A decrease in delivery performance occurs when farmers store the grain longer

Economic Analysis of Alternative Ware Potato Storage Technologies in Uganda

In Uganda, potato is primarily grown as a cash crop and smallholder farmers sell majority of their produce immediately after harvest. Only a few farmers store ware potato for later sale using various traditional storage methods. Main reasons are farmers’ immediate need for cash, the low volumes of potato harvested, fear of loss during storage due to pests and diseases, and a lack of adequate storage facilities. In order to exploit the seasonal market price fluctuations and increase the economic return of potato farming, improved individual and collective ambient ware potato storage units were introduced. Unlike traditional storage facilities that maintain the marketability of stored potato up to five weeks only, improved ambient stores can maintain their marketability up to nine weeks. This article uses cost-benefit analysis methods to compare the economic performance of improved ambient stores with traditional storage facilities. Results indicate that few of the traditional and improved collective storage units generated profit, an aspect that was attributed to management challenges. The improved individual stores performed overall well, generating higher profit margins than improved collective stores. Improved individual stores had an average payback period of three to four years that could even be reduced to less than one year if used at full capacity. Due to their characteristics, improved individual ambient ware potato stores thus seem to be particularly suitable to substantially increase the income of potato farming households.

Factors Influencing the Choice of Storage Technologies by Smallholder Potato Farmers in Eastern and Southwestern Uganda

Potato is a key food and cash crop in Uganda, mainly produced by smallholder farmers in the eastern and southwestern highlands of the country. This study assessed different factors influencing the choice of storage technologies by Ugandan potato farmers. Data were collected from 240 potato farmers using structured questionnaires in key potato producing districts in eastern and southwestern Uganda. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the multinomial probit regression model. Results indicate that potato farmers have limited access to credit and adequate extension services. Furthermore, most of the potato production is sold immediately after harvest. Although significant quantities of potato are stored as food for the household and seed for the next season, very few farmers store ware potato for later sale at a higher price. The farmer households generally use light storage technologies designed for seed storage, while dark stores required for proper ware potato storage are rarely used. Results for factors influencing the choice of storage technologies were mixed, and the extent and direction of influence varied with technology. The predominant factors that positively influenced the choice of dark storage technologies or a combination of different storage technologies included monthly income from sources other than potato sales, access to storage management advice and access to credit. This study recommends enhancing farmers’ access to adequate extension services and credit to promote good ware potato storage conditions.

The Situation of Rice Production and Trade of Farmers in the Upper Northern Region of Thailand

This study aims to study the situation of organic rice production and trade of farmers in the upper northern region of Thailand. This is qualitative research. The research area was organic rice for single and group farmers in Chiang Rai, Phayao, Chaing Mai, Lamphun, and Lampang. Target groups of important informants were model farmers who have been certified for organic rice production, local scholars and representatives of organic rice farmers, and organic rice academics using purposive sampling methods under the criteria and qualifications set by the researchers. There were three different kinds of research: questionnaires, interview forms, and group discussions. Data collection consisted of document research, interviews, observation, and small group discussions. The data was then analyzed, the content synthesized and descriptive reports were written. The results of the research revealed that rice production and trade of farmers in the upper northern region of Thailand in five provinces research areas are mainly for consumption and food security because most areas rely on rainwater, have fewer irrigated areas, and have less farming space than other sectors. The methods of farming are transplanting paddy fields, dry broadcasting paddy fields, wet broadcasting paddy fields, and drop broadcasting paddy fields. Most of the 82 percent are transplanting paddy fields and in some areas in the foothills where rice is planted in July and harvested from October to December. The most cultivated type of rice is glutinous rice, followed by white jasmine 105 rice, Pathumthani fragrant rice, brown rice, and organic rice respectively. The rice trade for farmers was divided into two levels: paddy marketing and rice marketing. Farmers store a portion of their products for household consumption and another portion for seed cultivation. Some farmers entered the loan program for delaying the sale of rain-fed paddy fields. For the rest of the products, farmers would sell paddy to merchants, Rice Farmers' groups, agricultural institutes (cooperatives), and private mills.

Efficacy of Indigenous Knowledge and Selected Modified Storage Structures to Insect Pests of Maize during Home Storage: A Review

Maize (Zea mays L) is an important food crop in Ethiopia and is produced in a number of agro ecologies in the region. Despite the favorable environmental conditions for its production, maize is infected by several insect pests before and after harvest, due to poor pre- and post-harvest practices/handling. Farmers store the produce for two reasons; for home consumption and marketing. They may not accept improvements which incur costs when storing primarily for home consumption. Thus, this review will assess the use of indigenous knowledge and modified storage structures to store maize by controlling postharvest insect pests. The use of indigenous knowledge has been seen by many as an alternative way of promoting development in poor rural communities in many parts of the world. Most developing countries are in the tropics, often in areas of high rainfall and humidity. These conditions are ideal for the development of micro-organisms and insects which cause high levels of deterioration of crops in store. Food losses during storage are the result of biological, chemical or physical damage. In earlier times various indigenous items and methods were used for storage of household items including food items, clothing and bedding etc. The shelf life or storage span of items was increased using readily available and low cost items like mineral substances (ash, sand, table salt, camphor, and inert dust) and other different plant materials and they are the common methods adopted by majority of the rural farmers for storing the grains although majority of them are not aware of the reasons or qualities of these materials and are using them as age old wisdom. Modified storage structures such as hermetic storage, bamboo mat with mud plastering, jute bag with inner plastic lining, metal bins and others are another technique adopted by farmers for maize storage. So it can be concluded that many of the indigenous practices find credibility even in today’s period. Moreover, their user-friendly approach, local availability associated with scientific reasoning provides enjoyment and satisfaction to the users. It must therefore be encouraged to use only those eco-friendly practices that are known to be both safe and effective. These practices must be modified to make them more efficient for further transfer to the end users in the future.

Effect of Some Storage Methods on the Quality of Maize Grown in the Ashanti Mampong Municipality of Ghana

This study aims at finding an acceptable storage method for three varieties of Maize grown in the Ashanti Mampong Municipality of Ghana. Survey and standard laboratory protocols were carried out to gather the necessary data for the study. The background study revealed that 18%, 13%, 24%, 15%, 12%, 8% and 10% of farmers store their maize by heaping on the floor, storing in cribs, conventional jute sack, plastic drum, clay pot, triple-layer hermetic bag and polypropylene respectively. The findings also indicated that moisture loss was reduced in the plastic drum and triple-layer hermetic bag after the four months of storage. The proximate composition of the stored produce showed that maize preserved better in the triple layer hermetic bag. It is recommended that the triple-layer hermetic bag should be extensively used in storing maize as it has the ability to reduce moisture loss, and also preserving the nutritional and market value of the produce stored in it.

Moisture content and aeration control mineral nutrient solubility in poultry litter

Poultry litter waste is typically land-applied as a soil amendment but repeated application in the vicinity of poultry houses has led to phosphorus accumulation in soil. Such application can also lead to runoff that causes eutrophication. Most farmers store litter under dry conditions or compost the litter prior to land application, but it is not clear if these approaches are best from a nutrient management-perspective. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of moisture content and active aeration on soluble mineral forms of nitrogen and phosphorus in poultry litter incubated for roughly one month. Mineral forms of nutrients are immediately plant-available upon field application and also most conducive to low-cost stripping and recovery methods. Litters were incubated at 50% and 70% moisture content with and without active aeration. Litter aeration led to significant ammonia losses and a consequent decline in litter pH but it had no effect on phosphate solubility. Moisture content during litter incubation governed the levels of plant-available phosphate and nitrification. High (70%) moisture led to 41%–78% higher plant-available phosphate (4.2–4.8 mg/g litter) compared to litters with 50% moisture content (2.7–3.0 mg/g litter). In contrast, the 50% moisture litters experienced 5–6 fold higher levels of nitrification (0.11–0.12 mg NO3-N/g litter) than litters with 70% moisture content (0.02 mg NO3-N/g litter), regardless of aeration. The implication is that lower-moisture litter storage is likely best for field application because phosphate is less soluble under neutral-alkaline conditions and therefore less likely to end up in runoff. In contrast, higher-moisture litter storage may be amenable to low-cost processes to leach and recover phosphate from litter.

Prevalence of Insects in Traditionally Stored Rice at Farmhouses in Bangladesh

A survey was conducted to investigate rice storage practices at the farmer’s level and the prevalence of insects’ status through a pretested questionnaire in Mymensingh and Jashore districts, Bangladesh. For seed purposes, large, medium, and small farmers store about 40, 10, and 5 kg, respectively in the Aman season for 7 months whereas in the Boro season large and medium farmers keep about 80 and 20 kg for 5 months. Average storage time was the highest (7 months) for Boro and Aman rice by large and small farmers, respectively for consumption. Eleven storage items namely, Dole, Motka, Tin, Plastic Drum, Gunny Bag, Bamboo Gola, Dhari, Bamboo Auri, Berh, Steel Drum, and Plastic Bag were found. About 57 and 74% of farmers stored rice, among them 47 and 58% used traditional Dole in Jashore and Mymensingh, respectively. Tin and Berh (1%) were the least used storage structures. About 11 and 17%; 3 and 4% of farmers used neem leaf and chemicals especially phostoxin in storage as an insect repellent in these areas, respectively. The use of Plastic Bags increased sharply due to lightweight, availability, and low price, whereas Bamboo Gola, Berh, Motka users decreased remarkably. Relative abundance of the insect species was: Rice Moth Sitotroga cerealla, Rice Weevil Sitophilus oryzae, Red Flour Beetle Tribolium castoreum, and Lesser Meal Worm Alphitobious diaperinus. Maximum insect infestation was found in stored paddy in Dole followed by Motka, and Plastic Bag; and the least amount was observed in Plastic Drum in both regions. Three fourth of the respondents took no measures to control insect pests in stored rice.

Kinetics of temperature and time effects on bioactive compounds and technological properties of quinoa varieties during storage

This study aimed to assess the kinetics and the changes in bioactive compounds, color, and technological properties of Mint Vanilla and Titicaca quinoa varieties stored during 360 days at 4, 10, and 25°C. It was observed that an increase in the storage time and temperature decreased the total phenolics (except at 25°C for Mint Vanilla), total flavonoids, DPPH, and FRAP contents of both quinoa varieties. After 360 days of storage, it was determined that storage conditions had a significant (p < .05) effect on technological properties. Color change was affected by storage time and temperature, with the most prominent influence observed after the 60 days of storage. It was determined that there were losses in the kinetic study of all the properties investigated. The activation energy of Mint Vanilla and Titicaca varied from 6.61 to 50.36 and 8.15 to 74.11 kJ/mol, respectively. Practical applications In the period of harvest, grain production exceeds the market demand. Therefore, most farmers store their production into storage structures to maintain quality of quinoa grains until releasing into the market. In this context, the effects of different storage conditions on the quality and technological properties of two quinoa varieties were investigated. The storage at 4 and 10°C provides the best preservability of the grains throughout the 360 days storage, verified by bioactive compounds, color, and technological properties.

On farm storage, storage losses and the effects of loss reduction in China

In China, many farmers store grains in their households, but compared with developed countries, their storage skills and facilities are limited. This results in a larger household storage losses in China than developed countries. Limited by resources, reducing postharvest losses has become an important measure to increase the food supply in China. This study used survey data from 1608 households in 28 provinces of China to measure the household storage by farmers and storage losses in 2015, then we simulated the effects of loss reduction. The results show that, first, amongst the four main crops, corn has the largest storage quantity and the highest storage loss rate in the households of Chinese farmers. The corn storage quantities reach 3220.15 kgs (kg), and the storage loss rate is 2.41%. Therefore, corn storage losses (in calories) are also the highest, at 271,317.1 kcal. Second, the household storage quantities and storage loss rates are different in various regions. The northeast experiences the highest storage loss (in calories), at 505,212.5 kcal, and the comprehensive loss rate is highest in the southwest, at 2.57%. Third, farmers generally use warehouses and bags to store grains in China. For japonica rice, wheat, and corn, storage in bags is associated with the lowest loss rate. Grains stored in cabinets are subject to more serious losses. Fourth, the loss reduction simulation under different standards shows that reducing farm storage losses has great effects that would aid in ensuring China's food security and saving resources. If the household storage loss rate falls to the advanced rate (1.00%), this can save 379,000 hectares of land, 140,600 tons of fertilizer, and 2.66 billion m3 of water, reduce carbon emissions by 510,600 tons, and meet the food consumption needs of 5.87 million people for one year.

Assessment of physico‐chemical and sensory properties of two date ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars under commercial cold storage conditions

Majhoul and Boufeggous date fruits, commonly grown in oases of Southern east Morocco, are widely consumed after post‐harvest season. Due to the perishability of date fruits, there is a need to extending their shelf life through cold storage. This study aimed to evaluate total soluble solids (TSS) content, moisture, acidity, color, firmness, as well as sensory attributes at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 5 months of cold storage for Majhoul and Boufeggous. Significant variations (p ≤ .05) in physico‐chemical attributes were observed during cold storage, but the two varieties did not behave similarly. The variation was more pronounced for Majhoul, especially for TSS, acidity, and Hunter‐color. Regarding sensory analysis, the stored samples were found to be less acceptable (p ≤ .05) with respect to mouthfeel, appearance, and color. Results obtained herein suggested that commercial cold storage (between +2°C and +4°C) should be seriously improved in order to retain overall quality of date fruits. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In the season of date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) harvest, production exceeds the market demand. Thus, most farmers store their production into cold stores in order to preserve intrinsic quality of the fruit until releasing into the market. This study will add current knowledge to the storage of date fruit and will provide an in depth insight on how cold storage can affect the acceptability of stored date fruits by consumers.