Factors, Harms, and Control of Corn Kernel Breakage: A Review

Abstract

Corn kernel breakage is an important cause of corn losses. Beginning at harvest, corn kernels are broken by collisions with farm machinery and equipment, drying induces increased kernel breakage susceptibility, and equipment transfers and grain loading generate collisions between corn kernels and with equipment, increasing the amount of broken kernels. Meanwhile, broken kernels increase the risk of insect damage, mold and mildew, as well as aggravate segregation during warehousing, which is detrimental to the safety and quality of corn storage. The causes of corn kernel breakage from harvest to storage are summarized, the water content is a key factor in the post-production quality and quantity of corn, the research results on kernel breakage in recent years are summarized, and suggestions are made for the research related to the reduction of corn kernel breakage rate.