Storage limit of wheat at 17% moisture content

The maximum period available for the safe storage of wheat at 17% moisture content (m.c.) wet basis, and 20 to 35 degrees C was measured. Safe storage was defined as the time before germination dropped to 90%. Safe storage ti mes ranged from 12 days at 35 degrees C to 48 days at 20 degrees C. An equa tion was developed to describe the rate of germination loss at 20, 25, 30, and 35 degrees C. A model using this germination equation was developed to predict the safe storage limit under decreasing temperature conditions. Thi s model was reliable for temperatures of 30 degrees C and lower, and was ge nerally an improvement over those calculated by the previous model. Visible mould first appeared when the germination had dropped to a mean level of 9 2%.