FACTORS AFFECTING STORAGE LIFE OF FARM-STORED FIELD PEAS (PISUM-SATIVUM L) AND WHITE BEANS (PHASEOLUS-VULGARIS L)

Deterioration in seed quality of initially sound field peas (Pisum sat ivum L. 'Titan') and white beam (Phaseolus vulgaris L. 'Seafarer') dur ing storage for 147 days was studied at temperature-moisture levels ty pical of storages in Manitoba. Time required for development of off-od ors and visible mold, fat acidity value (FAV), conductivity (seed elec trolyte leakage), germination, occurrence of particular fungi and thei r association with off-odors, and other parameters of seed quality wer e assessed. Spoilage increased as temperature and moisture increased, as shown by rate of development of off-odor, and FAV, conductivity and germination levels. Off-odors developed more rapidly in the peas than in the beans at the same temperature and comparable initial moisture contents. In beans, Eurotium species (Aspergillus glaucus) levels afte r 147 days were low except at high moisture contents. In peas, Eurotiu m levels were higher but peaked at intermediate moistures. Beans suffe red severe germination loss under less extreme conditions than peas. T here were strong associations among most of the storage quality parame ters studied, except for some fungi that occurred at tow levels. In pe as stored at an initial temperature of 31-degrees-C and 14.5% moisture content (m.c.), and beans at 31-degrees-C and 14.2% m.c., off-odors o ccurred within 63 days. No off-odors were detected after 147 days in p eas initially stored at 22-degrees-C and 14.5% m.c. or in beans at 22- degrees-C and 14.2% m.c. Moisture content/temperature/time storage gui delines were derived from the laboratory data and related to data coll ected from farm bins in Manitoba. The guidelines are intended for esti mating storability of the two crops during the first 5 months after bi nning in climatic zones typical of western Canada and the northern U.S .A.