A simple low-cost method of determining whether it is safe to store maize

Tim Tubbs; Charles Woloshuk; Klein E. Ileleji; Tim Tubbs; Charles Woloshuk; Klein E. Ileleji

doi:10.3934/agrfood.2017.1.43

AIMS Agriculture and Food

2017, Volume 2, Issue 1: 43-55. doi: 10.3934/agrfood.2017.1.43

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Research article

A simple low-cost method of determining whether it is safe to store maize

1.
Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, 915 State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
2.
Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, 225 South University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA

Received: 10 October 2016 Accepted: 15 January 2017 Published: 25 January 2017

Reliable moisture measurement during drying is key to ensuring that grain is dried adequately to meet market requirements and be safe from spoilage by fungi in storage. While simple hand-held moisture meters are available for use by farmers in industrialized countries, smallholder farmers in developing countries cannot afford these devices and rely on subjective methods based on touch and feel to determine grain moisture. In this study, a simple, low-cost method to determine whether maize is dry enough for storage was developed based on the use of an affordable hygrometer and EMC/ERH relationship for maize. The Mini Digital hygrometer, the lowest cost hygrometer of 5 types tested, was the best based on its accuracy, device-to-device variability and ability to clearly distinguish various moistures of maize. A simple illustrated information-card was developed to guide farmers on using the device and for testing its accuracy.
- moisture content,
- hygrometer,
- maize,
- Zea mays,
- storage
Citation: Tim Tubbs, Charles Woloshuk, Klein E. Ileleji. A simple low-cost method of determining whether it is safe to store maize[J]. AIMS Agriculture and Food, 2017, 2(1): 43-55. doi: 10.3934/agrfood.2017.1.43

Related Papers:

Abstract

Reliable moisture measurement during drying is key to ensuring that grain is dried adequately to meet market requirements and be safe from spoilage by fungi in storage. While simple hand-held moisture meters are available for use by farmers in industrialized countries, smallholder farmers in developing countries cannot afford these devices and rely on subjective methods based on touch and feel to determine grain moisture. In this study, a simple, low-cost method to determine whether maize is dry enough for storage was developed based on the use of an affordable hygrometer and EMC/ERH relationship for maize. The Mini Digital hygrometer, the lowest cost hygrometer of 5 types tested, was the best based on its accuracy, device-to-device variability and ability to clearly distinguish various moistures of maize. A simple illustrated information-card was developed to guide farmers on using the device and for testing its accuracy.

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