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Postharvest Pathology and Mycotoxins

Safe Storage Periods for Farm-Stored Rapeseed Based on Mycological and Biochemical Assessment. J. T. Mills, Research scientist, Agriculture Canada, Research Station, 195 Dafoe Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2M9; R. N. Sinha, principal research scientist, Agriculture Canada, Research Station, 195 Dafoe Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2M9. Phytopathology 70:541-547. Accepted for publication 14 November 1979. Copyright 1980 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-70-541.

Deterioration of initially sound rapeseed (Brassica napus ‘Tower’) during storage for 147 days was studied at temperature-moisture levels typical of farm bins in Manitoba. Fat acidity value (FAV) and germination of seed samples, time required for development of odor and visible mold, occurrence of particular fungi and their association with FAV were assessed. In rapeseed stored at 25 C and 12.4% moisture content (MC), Penicillium spp. were most frequent after 30 days and Aspergillus versicolor after 147 days; whereas at 25 C and 9.7% MC species of the Aspergillus glaucus group were most frequent after 50 days. A guideline for maximum safe storage periods for farm-stored rapeseeds at different temperature and moisture levels was derived from the laboratory data and validated with rapeseed data collected from farm bins in Manitoba. Predictions of poor storability of seeds in six of 15 bins based on a laboratory-tested guideline were validated when the same bins were reinvestigated in the spring of 1979, 85–129 days after binning. The guideline is intended for estimating rapeseed storability, particularly during the first 5 mo after binning, by farmers in northern continental climatic zones typical of western Canada and the northern USA.