Implementing drying systems to preserve seed quality

Description

Kent Bradford, University of California, Davis, discusses the work he and his many global collaborators have done with various drying systems to preserve seed quality because traditional drying methods are insufficient to reduce seed moisture.  The presentation on May 6, 2013 in Nairobi, Kenya, correlates high seed moisture and reduced seed life.  The discussion includes many alternative desiccants including zeolite drying beads, hermetic containers and packaging, indicating containers (DrumDry, BoxDry) and various instruments for measuring relative humidity (RH).  Bradford presents data from some trials and demonstrations including a study showing a decrease in aflatoxin in maize in Kenya, sampled 1 and 2 months after harvest, utilizing the "dry chain" concept to reduce postharvest losses.

Technology

Drying beads Dry chain

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