Intermittence periods in corn seed drying process

Abstract

-The high quality is a factor that must be assured in a corn seed production system. In order to achieve this, seeds are harvested with high moisture content, and then artificially dried. However, the costs of this operation are high and may reduce the profits. The objective of the present study was to evaluate, through the physiological quality, the possibility of using intermittence periods for drying corn seeds on the cob in a stationary system. The seeds were harvested on the cob, close to the physiological maturity stage, with an average moisture content of 35%. The treatments consisted of four periods of intermittence (3, 6 and 9 hours) and one period without intermittence. The seeds were stored for six months. To evaluate the physiological quality of the seeds, germination, first germination, electrical conductivity, and the cold tests were performed. The experimental design was completely randomized, in split plots. In a stationary drying system, periods of intermittence of up to 6 hours per day helped to preserve the physiological quality of the corn seeds. The use of intermittence periods in the drying process provides corn seeds with higher physiological quality and greater storage potential, in comparison with the continuous drying.

Energy efficiency and physical integrity of maize grains subjected to continuous and intermittent drying

“…The temperature of 100 °C is close to the real working temperature in the storage units, within the limits of the experimental dryer. The tempering times are within range of some works on intermittent drying for maize grain and seed (Devilla et al, 1999;Vergara et al, 2018;Mabasso et al, 2019;Mabasso et al, 2020). The air flow is in accordance with Queiroz & Valente (2018).…”

“…According to Vergara et al (2018), intermittent drying with different tempering times can mean cost savings, since the tempering time coincides with the peak energy cost, where energy is more expensive, and it can reduce costs by 25%, providing greater returns. For the producer, it is important to ensure correct harvest planning and, when drying is properly adjusted to the load flow, it allows, in addition to gains in qualitative and quantitative terms, the release of the area for the next harvest.…”

“…Intermittence could minimize the cost of drying without compromising the product quality (Vergara et al, 2018). Different intermittency strategies have the potential to increase energy efficiency and maintain product quality (Allaf et al, 2014;Kumar et al, 2014).…”

Temperatures and periods of drying delay and quality of corn seeds harvested on the ears

“…In addition to the temperature during the waiting period, the drying system itself can engender some damages and physiological alterations that diminish the quality of the lot. These adverse effects are likely to escalate during storage (Vergara et al, 2018).…”

“…Most of the harvest of hybrid corn seeds is executed near the physiological maturity phase, so that to minimize the harmful effects of in-field storage. However, this practice must be followed by artificial drying, in order to delay the deterioration process, characterized by an increase in respiratory activity and the consumption of seed reserves (Peske and Villela, 2012;Vergara et al, 2018).…”