Introduction

The hygroscopic nature of maize seed enables it to absorb atmospheric moisture. This
sometimes makes them unsafe for storage especially in the tropics that is characterised by high
humidity and temperature. An experiment was therefore conducted at Institute of Agricultural
Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria, during
the dry and wet seasons of 2006 and 2007, to investigate the effects of storage materials and
storage environment on maize seed drying during storage, and to test their resultant effects on
seed germination. Seeds of five cultivars of maize, popularly grown by farmers in South Western
Nigeria were stored in two storage materials (polyethylene and hessian sack bags) under ambient
conditions of Abeokuta (Rain forest ecology), Ballah (Southern Guinea Savannah ecology) and
Ibadan (Derived savannah ecology) for 180 days during dry and wet seasons. Results from the
study revealed that maize seed deterioration could not be absolutely avoided over time regardless
of the storage materials used, but the rate can be reduced if adequate attention is given to storage
environment, such as % relative humidity, temperature and initial moisture percent (%) of the
seed. Storage environment and materials significanly affected drying of maize seed during
storage while storage environment and season of storage determines the choice of suitable
materials for storing maize seeds. Polyethylene bag appeared to be most suitable for storing
maize seed during wet season, in all the locations, while hessian sack bag is recommended for
storing maize seed during dry season.
When the seed of crops are harvested, they are not yet ready for planting, sale or storage.
They must undergo special technical treatment order to meet certain quality standards. We can
divide these treatments into several stages. All these stages together are called processing. Seed
crops when harvested have their own method of seed extraction and cleaning, and can be divided
into three groups or categories namely:
a. Dry seed category
b. Moist seed category
c. Wet seed category

Objectives
At the end of the exercise, the students will be able to:
a. Distinguish the different seed categories for seed processing, drying, and storage.
b. Extract or threshed, clean and dry the different seed categories harvested.
c. Explain the importance of proper storage of seeds and discuss the factors affecting the
seed in store.
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