Safe storage time of high moisture wheat.

Deterioration rates were determined for 15-19% moisture content (m.c., wet basis) wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. 'Barrie') stored at constant temperatures or with a step decrease in storage temperatures. Deterioration rates were determined by measuring germination capacity of the grain and respiration rates of grain and microorganisms. Safe storage time was defined as the time for germination to decrease to 90%. Safe storage times of 19% m.c. wheat stored at constant temperatures ranged from 2.5 d at 30 and 35 degrees C to 37 d at 10 degrees C. Deterioration rates of 19% m.c. wheat stored with a step decrease in storage temperatures (35-25, 30-20, 25-20, and 20-15 degrees C) were determined and safe storage times were satisfactorily predicted. Safe storage times of 17% m.c. wheat were 5, 7, and 15 d at 35, 30, and 25 degrees C, respectively. Respiration rates and germination percentages of 15 and 16% m.c. wheat stored at 25 degrees C remained constant for 70 d. The respiration rates of 17-19% m.c. wheat at 25 degrees C increased while the germination percentages decreased with storage time. Germination dropped from 98 to 92-89% when the dry matter losses were about 0.05% and visible mould occurred when the dry matter losses were about 0.1% in 17-19% m.c. wheat. Safe storage times of 17% m.c. wheat stored at 35-25 degrees C were compared with those determined in similar previous work with cultivars 'Domain' and 'Katepwa'. 'Domain' had the longest and 'Barrie' had the shortest storage times.