Seed Today - Q1 2008 - (Page 58)

Hermetic Seed Storage Insects naturally asphyxiate themselves in an airtight enclosure Maintaining the quality of returned seed is an annual logistical challenge for seed corn companies. While in the control of customers, the seed may have become infested with who knows what kind of insects. After the seed is back in the seed company’s warehouse, it is often fumigated to prevent insect damage. cally 7-10 days at room temperature—insect respiration reduces the oxygen level and raises the CO 2 level inside the enclosure to a levels that cannot sustain insect life. The insects essentially asphyxiate themselves. The more insects, the faster they create a lethal atmosphere. “The single most important aspect of hermetic storage is that no chemicals are needed. Product is stored in a hermetic environment that is natural, unpolluted, organic and healthy,” explains Philippe Villers, President of GrainPro, Inc., Concord, MA. “Furthermore, the low oxygen atmosphere halts fungal activity, further protecting the enclosed seed,” Villers says. Villers’ company develops and markets flexible, airtight enclosures to hermetically treat and store grain products. GrainPro’s Cocoon™ hermetic enclosures were originally designed as a low-cost means of reducing postharvest loss of grain supplies in less developed countries. Cocoons™ are now finding new uses to protect other products including seed. Field testing of GrainPro’s patented vacuum hermetic fumigation has shown a 100 percent kill of insects in three days at room temperature (75° F.). Faster kill occurs at more elevated temperatures which are common during summer months inside uninsulated warehouses. “The exact origin of hermetic storage is lost in antiquity although we do know sealed clay urns stored underground in Persia continue to be found by archeologists with the stored grain inside,” Villers says. GrainPro, Inc. was established in 1992 to improve the quality of life in less developed countries by reducing hunger and improving the environment. GrainPro’s patented Cocoons™ and other storage products have been used in over 20 countries for post-harvest storage of food grains and other dry food commodities. For more information: GRAINPRO, INC., Concord MA (978-371-7118/www.grainpro.com) Alternative control method Another means of controlling insects in bagged products is a method known as hermetic (airtight) storage. In this process, bagged product is sealed inside an airtight enclosure. After a short period of time—typi- Response No. 581 58 First Quarter 2008 http://www.grainpro.com http://www.calwestseeds.com http://www.calwestseeds.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Seed Today - Q1 2008

Seed Today - Q1 2008 Contents Editor’s Notes Cover Feature: Agrecol® Corporation Reed Barker, Ph.D. Cal/West Seeds Inc. Annual GM Use Report Bt Resistance Reported Camelina Tony Harper Gayle Jacklin According to ASTA Krauter Structures AOSCA AOSA/SCST GM and Greenhouse Gas Seed Associations Ad Index

Seed Today - Q1 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.