Hermetic Storage as a Solution for Prolonged Storage of Seed Presentation to Purdue Hermetic Storage Conference April 10-12, 2012 Accra, Ghana

Rule of Harrington (1972) “ Life of seed is halved: a.for each 5 o increase in seed storage temperature a.for each 5 o increase in seed storage temperature b. for each 1% increase in seed moisture content “ b. for each 1% increase in seed moisture content “

rice seeds held in airtight storage outlive seeds held in open storage provided they are adequately dried before they are placed in airtight storage …..Rice seeds dried by high heat before sealing were dead after 26 to 28 years, but seeds dried by the sun to % MC were stored safely for 30 years” “… rice seeds held in airtight storage outlive seeds held in open storage provided they are adequately dried before they are placed in airtight storage …..Rice seeds dried by high heat before sealing were dead after 26 to 28 years, but seeds dried by the sun to % MC were stored safely for 30 years” (Kondo and Okumura, Japan ) (Kondo and Okumura, Japan )

STORAGE METHODS Methodology Plastic material : Polyvinyl chloride Capacity : 7.5 cu m Dimension : 2.95x 1.70 x 1.5m Thickness : 0.80 – 0.85mm Color : White Fabrication : HF welded Hermetic storage

BUILDING OF EXPERIMENTAL PILES Methodology GrainPro Cocoon Weighing Bottom sectionLoading/piling Height capacity Top sectionZipper keysComplete set-up

OXYGEN CONCENTRATION Salient Findings

TEMPERATURE

RELATIVE HUMIDITY Salient Findings

SEED GERMINATION Salient Findings

SEED VIGOR Salient Findings

MOISTURE CONTENT Salient Findings

Summarizing  Under HS conditions germination can be preserved for long time. Longest track record is 14 months  HS performs better than AC storage and almost as good as cold storage  Seed vigor is kept high  Findings of trials with other GrainPro products as SuperGrainbags, GrainSafes show same results as GrainPro Cocoons  Results with maize, sorghum, soybeans are similar

THANK YOU ! GrainPro Inc 200 Baker Ave, Suite 309, Concord MA 01742, USA Tel Fax GrainPro Philippines Inc : Subic Bay Gateway Park Tel Fax Data: Research By GrainPro, Philrice and Philmec 2006