Grain storage methods and their effects on Sorghum grain quality in Hararghe, Ethiopia

摘要: The majority of peasants in Hararghe, eastern Ethiopia, store sorghum grain underground pits. These pits usually elevate moisture and storage temperature to levels that favour insect pests fungi, causing spoilage. Information on pit environment, microflora association prior storage, effects methods, changes chemical components over time is sparse. objectives this thesis were assess: (1) environment weight loss; (2) mycoflora associated with storage; (3) impact methods quality; (4) agro-ecological zones components. reports the are based field surveys Hararghe districts, experiments laboratory analyses. Mean seven districts ranged from 24.5 33.3 oC while mean varied 15 17% after 7 9 months. relative humidity 58.3 86.1%. bulk density decreased by 4% district loss between 2 13% for same period. germination 83 27% Frequencies Aspergillus Penicillium species increased stored soil districts. Field fungi including Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Phoma Alemaya storage. Trace detected some sampling sites Frequency time. Granary content higher than above-ground bins, cement- dung-lined at University. samples 9% 17 months other three types not significant. Germination 6% per month no significant difference was among bin non-soil Soluble carbohydrate contents 2.4 1.2% 1.9% 0.97% organic matter 97.8 91.6%; crude protein 10.1 11.2% Storage Use improved bins and/or modified required maintain quality extend storability.