Harvest and Post-harvest Processing of Hybrid Maize

Factors affect in producing hybrid maize

Use of appropriate production technologies Environmental conditions during growing period Time of sowing, harvesting, shelling and cleaning Drying method Storage practice

At what stages in the cycle do losses occur?

agronomic practices GERMINATION MATURATION insects rodents birds PLANTING viability losses HARVEST STORAGE transport insects rodents microorganisms Physical losses shelling drying handling transport PROCESSING birds / rodents / insects microorganisms climate insect damage disease abiotic stress

MARKETING SYSTEM EXPORT FOOD PREPARATION FOOD CONSUMPTION NUTRITIONAL UTILIZATION

Post-harvest pipe line

Operations/ Steps Followed in Harvesting and Post-harvest Processing of Maize

Time of Harvesting Husking, Sorting and Harvesting method Drying Shelling Cleaning Weighing, Bagging and storing

Harvesting
- Plants show distinct sings of drying - Plant leaves turns light yellow. - Only few top leaves may be green. - About 75% HK is almost completely dry and turn to straw/brown colour.

Mature cobs in the field for harvesting

There are some hybrids

- Where cobs mature and dry earlier, but stalks remain green for a longer time. - Some time force maturity also occurs. For this consider i) Degree of drying of HK ii) MC of grain iii) Black layer formation to determine harvesting time.

Checking of black layer formation

Indications of seed reaching maturity

Dry husks

Milk layer

Black layer

Seed development and maturation

Germination

Dry weight Size

Humidity Physiological maturity Time after flowering

Physiological maturity
This generally coincides with the maximum accumulation of dry matter At Physiological Maturity grains develop to complete functional maturity and express maximum quality potential

As fodder

Harvest Timing - Early

At physiological maturity (3035% MC) Advantages a) Prevents further damage from corn borer, ear worms, ear rot fungi etc. c) Market seed earlier d) Land availability and timely sowing of subsequent crop Disadvantages a) MC remains too high b) Requires mechanical drying facilities c) Drying cost often excessive harvesting at this stage

Harvest Timing - Late

At about 1418% MC

Advantage-lower drying cost Disadvantage Expose the crop to

undesireable elements in the field such as temperature and moisture extremes, rainfall, losses like shattering, diseases, insects, rodents, birds, theft, etc.

Appropriate harvest time

At physiological maturity MC remains too high. So, harvesting may be delayed until seed moisture declines to an economically acceptable level. If possible, a prompt harvest at field maturity, as delay will unduly expose the crop to possible undesirable elements in the field. Maize grains obtain field maturity typically few days (7-10 day) after physiological maturity. This is typically in the range of 20-25% MC.

Harvesting at field maturity results

Improved appearance of grains. Greater resistance to mechanical injury from handling in processing plants. Reduce drying cost.

Consider for harvest

In dry and sunny days harvesting should be done. If it is possible, cobs can be harvested by dehusking directly from the standing plants.

Effect of yield on harvesting time

Premature harvesting of maize reduces the yield. Delay in harvesting expose seeds rainfall, diseases and insects, bird damage, and theft. Fully mature grain will result in maximum yield, improved appearance of grain and greater resistance to mechanical injury.

Dehusking by bamboo stick

Harvest Methods - Hand

Advantages: a) Less damage b) Selective harvest
Disadvantages: a) Labor availability b) Labor cost c) Area - timing

Husking

Combine direct harvest

One pass maize harvest

Care after harvesting-drying

After harvest, put the cobs on concrete/mats for drying Dont heap the un-husked cobs after harvesting Drying- to bring down the MC prior to shelling Dehusk the harvested cobs as early as possible because initial high moisture can quickly deteriorate grain quality After dehusking, immediately the ears spread for sun drying prior to shelling

Spreading of harvested cobs

Dehusking

Sun drying of dehusked ears

What to Sort out

1. Diseased ears 2. Pre-germinated 3. Moldy/insect damaged Cob rot Corn borer damage

Sorting/Selection

Methods of Drying
Conventional method (1) Sun dryingIt is not expensive

De-husked ears or shelled grain are dried by spreading them evenly & thinly on concrete floor or mats, plastic or canvass. Takes about 2 to 3 sunny days to dry, it depends on initial MC and weather condition. MC of de-husked ears should be down to about 18-20% for shelling, while shelled grains about 12% for storage.

Precautions required in sun drying

No direct contract with soil, use tarpauline, sheets, mats etc. Frequent turning of cobs for uniform drying. (2) By natural ventilation (3) Another method is suspending rows of bundled cobs Ear with husk open to expose the kernels on bamboo poles.

DRYING

SHELLING
Shelling of ears can be done in various ways after drying the ears down to about 18-20% MC, to minimize mechanical damage. Several types of manually operated corn sheller, improved hand corn sheller can also be used. Power driven BARI corn sheller - for commercial use.

Shelling

Drying the Seed Crop

Sun drying
Labor is required to spread and turn cobs (or grain) to evenly expose them to sun

Important aspects while shelling to get good quality grain

Shell at proper moisture (about 18-20% MC). Check for mechanical damage if any, that makes lower quality grain.

CLEANING AND DRYING OF SHELLED GRAINS Shelled grains need proper drying prior to market/store After shelling and drying, the grains should be cleaned. Before storing, the dried grains need for cooling about 8-10 hrs.

Maize grain preservation

STORING
The aim of storing is to keep the grain in good quality. Before storing proper drying of grain (12% MC). Grain should be stored in a dry, cool place. Quality will degrade in the storage if high MC and mechanical damaged grains are stored. High moisture will cause Excessive mold growth and pest attack Farmer level grain storage jute bags, drum, polyethelene in jute bags

Avoiding damage by pests

Hygiene Inspection

GENERAL FLOW IN SEED CONDITIONING

Reception

Drying

Cleaning

Grading & Sizing

Temporary Storage

Treatment and Bagging

Storage

Marketing

As human food