Avaliação do teor de umidade de sementes de milho (Zea mays L.) armazenadas em diferentes embalagens no município de Palmas-TO.

Abstract

The behavior of the grains and its products during the storage depends on the product temperature and moisture content. The seeds can to yield or to absorb humidity of the air because it’s highly hygroscopic. Being thus, the objective of this work was to verify the occurred variations in the moisture content of the corn seeds during eight months of storage in natural conditions in the city of Palmas-TO. The samples had been packed in bags of paper and polyethylene with moisture content varying of 7-8% and 9-10% (w.b.). After this period in natural conditions, the samples packed in polyethylene had not presented variation in its moisture content whereas the samples stored in paper, had entered in hygroscopic balance with the environment. The use of an appropriate packing during the storage will help in the good conservation of the seeds, preserving its quality.