Grain Safe Storage Conditions (2)

3. Low Temperature
The biological life activity inside the grain is affected by temperature. Stored grain in the appropriate temperature range, the seed of life is activated, pests and microbial breeding faster, seed respiration increased, too high or too low temperature is unfavorable to their life activities, it can even cause them to death.

The pests are sensitive to temperature. Grain storage temperature in the range of 25-33 ℃ most suitable for the growth of pests breeding, increased damage to grain, also cause local grain fever and mildew; grain temperature dropped to 20 ℃ or so, the growth rate of pests decreased significantly; When the grain temperature dropped to about 15 ℃, the pests could hardly reproduce, and the activity was weakened and the grain was no longer harmed. The temperature was further reduced to 10 ℃ or below. After a certain period of time, the pests died frozen.

For mold and other microorganisms, the temperature in the range of 15 to 35 ℃, humidity is appropriate, the reproduction and growth is rapid, easy to cause of grain mildew; And grain temperature fell to below 50 ℃, the microbes which harm the grains have been suppressed, even if the grain moisture content is higher, basically still safe. Every winter in our country northeast corn crop moisture content is high, can reach more than 20%, but still can be safely stored in winter, this is the reason.

For grain itself, grain storage at low temperatures, the maintenance of grain quality is also beneficial; it can slow down the aging process of grain itself. Low temperature can prolong the life of seeds. At low temperature, the respiration of seeds is restrained and the seed viability can be maintained. For example, the wheat can be stored at low temperatures for 10 years; while the corn stored after 6 years at low temperature is still a good germination rate.