Potato Storage using Rice Hull

Rice hulls may be agricultural waste material for some processes, such as polishing rice, but they are
very useful for other purposes such as storing potatoes or onions. Rice hulls contain approximately 20%
opaline silica in combination with a large amount of the phenyl propanoid structural polymer called
lignin. Anyone who has ever tried to burn rice hulls knows how they do not easily and cleanly burn. The
bulk density of loose rice hulls is similar to that of baled straw; air cannot flow freely through a pile of
rice hulls to provide the oxygen needed to sustain rapid combustion. But that property makes them
perfect insulation for storing potatoes and onions. The additional properties that make them excellent
for preserving raw potatoes and onions are (1) they are highly resistant to moisture penetration and
fungal decomposition, (2) they do not transfer heat very well, (3) they do not smell or emit gases and (4)
they are not corrosive to aluminum, copper, or steel.

Studies done on rice hulls by R & D Services in TN show that at 90% relative humidity, the equilibrium
moisture content of rice hulls remains at or below 15%, the same as at 50% humidity. Since the rice hull
is hard and yet elastic, it resists settling and compression far better than shredded newspapers, another
common method for storing potatoes.

Impact of rice hull burning in onion production in rice-onion cropping system

Rice hull burning (RHB) on the soil surface is widely practiced by many onion growers in Nueva Ecija,
Philippines mainly to reduce weeds and increase yield. This information, however, has not been
documented. The authors conducted replicated experiments in farmers' fields to determine the effects
of RHB on onion yield and on pests in rice-onion cropping system particularly weeds and soil-borne root-
knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola and to assess its economic impact in onion production.
Results showed that RHB reduced weed densities by 50% and the initial population densities of M.
graminicola four days after burning up to one month after transplanting. Carbonized rice hulls also
enhanced soil nutrients particularly P and exchangeable K as shown in soil analysis at harvest. Onion
yield increased by 28.9% when 15 cm thick rice hulls were burned and increased by 44.2% when
thickness was increased to 30 cm as compared to no RHB. Yield and cost effect analysis showed that this
technology can be adopted by farmers.

Comparison of rice hull biochar and cedar bark as growing media on the yield and postharvest quality of
'Sachinoka' strawberry

Strawberry is regarded as a highly perishable fruit due to its extreme tenderness and high respiration
rate. Amongst all, Japanese 'Sachinoka' strawberry is highly favored in Japan for its sweetness and deep
red skin color, but it has comparatively low firmness leading to sensitive postharvest quality. Preharvest
factors can minimize postharvest quality deterioration, but growing medium has not gained much
attention as an important factor. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the effect of two
growing media on the postharvest quality preservation of the strawberry. Plants were grown in cedar
bark (BM) and rice hull biochar media (HM) and arranged in completely randomized block design inside
greenhouse. Marketable yield was measured and stored in cold storage (3°C, 95% RH). Strawberry fresh
weight loss, surface colour measured in CIELAB colour space, total soluble solids content (TSS) using
°Brix index, acidity and firmness were recorded in 3-4 day intervals, up to 14 days. Marketable yield was
higher in BM with 20% higher total yield than HM. Fresh weight loss percentage increased similarly in
both media up to 3-4% of the initial fresh weight. All L*a*b* colour aspects prior to storage were similar
in the fruits grown in both media but HM fruits turned darker than BM, during storage. Even though
with significantly low TSS in the beginning, HM fruits maintained around 10% higher TSS content than
the BM throughout the storage. Acidity was higher in BM fruits. All firmness parameters were higher in
HM, just after harvesting and throughout the storage. Strawberries grown in BM had higher yield, but
HM had higher quality preservation and less potential postharvest loss due to possible physiological
differences caused by the media.

A study on the potential applications of rice husk derivatives as useful adsorptive material

Rice husk is one of the by-products of rice production, left after the burning of rice husk. It can cause
environmental pollution, as its disposal is difficult. Hence its proper reuse is necessary, and because it is
mainly composed of carbon and silica, it could be used in adsorption processes for removal of toxic
heavy metals from water and wastewaters. Rice husk is available in ample amount. Because of its high
specific surface area, it has proven to be a potential low-cost material in the applications of water
treatment and building materials. This literature reviews the properties, uses, and the importance of rice
husk and provides an effective collection of studies to utilize rice husk derivatives. This economically
valuable agriculture waste product is a great source of silica and has many comprehensive applications.

http://www.aquaculture.ugent.be/Education/coursematerial/online%20courses/ATA/analysis/proxi.htm

http://www.actahort.org/books/1210/1210_38.html

https://www.google.com.ph/url?
sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319165720_A_study_on_the_
potential_applications_of_rice_husk_derivatives_as_useful_adsorptive_material&ved=2ahUKEwiM75P0
1ILmAhXBa94KHej5A44QFjAKegQIBxAB&usg=AOvVaw19_1NnspfXMKkS7YKkaY0r&cshid=157459222407
5

https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.ijcmas.com/6-10-2017/Patil
%2520Nita%2520Babaso%2520and%2520H.
%2520Sharanagouda.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjf7Lyu1oTmAhXgwosBHeEdDQYQFjAPegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw
0xexnOt8jAisACsjue3DpM