Date of Graduation

8-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Food Science (MS)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Food Science

Advisor/Mentor

Griffiths G. Atungulu

Committee Member

Andrew Proctor

Second Committee Member

Sammy Sadaka

Third Committee Member

B. J. Bench

Keywords

Germination, Isotherm, Soybean, Vigor

Abstract

Recently introduced technology-comprising cables used for monitoring grain moisture content (MC) and temperature throughout the entire grain mass during drying offers a means to utilize low-temperature natural air-drying for soybean seed. From an electronic monitor and fan control standpoint, the new technology appears to be very promising for managing drying and storage conditions for soybean seed. The objectives for this study were to simulate conditions typically encountered in on-farm, in-bin drying systems and investigate impact of seed cultivar, temperature, moisture content and duration of storage on seed germination rates and vigor (electrical conductivity). In addition this research addresses the problem of establishing an accurate EMC database, across temperature and relative humidity ranges that are typically encountered during natural air, low-temperature drying of soybean seed. Overall, this study showed that seed viability could be maintained when the MC is at 13% and grain temperature within 20°C to 30°C.

Download

Share

COinS