Abstract:
Studies conducted in Sri Lanka have shown that significant amount of maize is lost during post-production operations
due to improper post harvest techniques. Hermetically sealed modified atmospheric cocoon storage is one of the
advanced grain storage methods for commercial level storage. This research is focused on the effect of modified
atmospheric conditions of sealed cocoons for physical properties and quality conditions of maize seed under local
climatic conditions. Initial values of thousand kernel weight, bulk density, hardness, colour, immature seed %,
damaged seed % and impurities %, of maize seed were compared with those values obtain after 8 months storage in
two methods i.e. large capacity (1100 kg) hermetic cocoon and conventional warehouse storage. Oxygen level inside
the hermetically sealed cocoon took 2 weeks to reduce 20.5 to 0.4% . Temperature fluctuation inside the hermetic
cocoon was very low in comparison with warehouse. Hermetically sealed cocoon maize seed sample reported similar
values as its initial values in term s impurities %, and damaged seed % after 8 months storages, however they were
changed significantly in warehouse sample. Change of thousand kernel weight/mass maize seed during storage
period was significantly low in cocoon sample. Bulk density and paddy kernel hardness values were significantly
reduced in both storage methods from its initial values. Finally, it can be concluded that hermetically sealed cocoon
storage has more advantages to preserve seed quality characteristics in comparison to conventional warehouse
storage for large capacity commercial storage. However, hermetically sealed condition must be maintained
throughout storage period to gain these advantages.
