Present status and future of postharvest technological research on pulses.
1989
Amiruzzaman M. | Chaudhury J.C.S.
Pulses are attacked by insects and pathogens during storage and thereby lose their viability and consumer acceptance. The postharvest technology project of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, funded by IDRC, surveyed the farmers' storage conditions in Bangladesh during 1981-1984. It was found that as much as 64% infestation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), 35% of lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.), and 24% of mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek), by bruchids occurred within first 3 months of storage. Twenty four pathogens were isolated from the storable seeds, of which Alternaria sp, Cladosporium sp, and Curvularia sp, were predominant. Viability of stored seeds was also reduced by 30% to 90% if the moisture content exceeded the safe level of 8%. High rainfall and high humidity (90%) in the 4 months of postrainy-season storage made them more vulnerable to fungal attacks. Traditional storage systems include kerosene tins, gunny bags, bamboo doles, earthen pitchers (motka), etc. Research indicated that proper drying and storage of seed under one inch of ash or sand helped better storage. Treatment of seeds with vegetable oils and leaves of neem and tobacco, and use of improved containers greatly reduced damage during storage. The future line of work is discussed in this paper.
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