Abstract:
The maize (corn) is the major crop in the world and the storage method is factors that affect its qualitative and quantitative parameter, during storage period. The study was conducted on four storage structure (polypropylene bag, super grain bag, metal bin and Purdue improvement crop storage bag) with three duration before opening (2, 4 and 6) month. Each treatment was replicated three times and totally thirty six (36) runs. The quality parameters measured in this study were proximate analysis, weight loss, bulk density, insect pest, germination test, mold, and ash content. The result showed that opening time had not significant (p>0.05) effect on the quality characteristics of maize and in some quality, there were no interaction effect of opening time and storage structure but, The storage structure had significant effect (p<0.05) on all quality parameters except on protein and oil content of maize grain. The highest mean value of germination (94.67+5.5%) of maize grain was recorded in super grain bag at 4 month while lowest mean value (56.33+6.11%) was in woven polypropylene bag at 6 month. The lowest mean value of number of dead insect pest (3.33+1.53/kg) of stored maize were recorded super grain bag at 2 whereas, the highest mean value of dead insect pest (102.67+64.53 insect/kg) of stored maize grain were obtained in interaction woven polypropylene bag and 4 month. There was a little difference interaction effect of opening time and storage structure such as the lowest mean value of live insect (0) was recorded in super grain bag at 2 month whereas, the highest mean value (18.53+ 16.29) was obtained in polypropylene bag at 2 moth. Lowest mean of weight loss (1.18%) was found in Metal bin at 4 month while, highest mean value (18.08+2.5%) was recorded in interaction of polypropylene bag and 4 month. The highest man value of bulk density 755.28 kg/m3at super grain bag at 2 month. Mostly hermetic storage structure such as purdue improvement crop storage, super grain bag and metal bin were very important structure in reduction of the infestation of insect pest and also reduction of post harvest loss of maize grain during storage time. Hermetic storages are crucial storage structure to provide the maize quality without losing its characteristics with any periodic opening time. especially metal bin is very important rigid hermetic storage structure used to protect both mechanical damage and biological damage( insect and pests) but, it requires high investment to design it whereas the flexible hermetic structure are not honestly to protecting the physical damage and rodent, bird but they have require low investment to apply on smallholder farmer level.