Proper storage conditions are essential for maintaining the viability of seeds and safety of dry goods. The seed viability period during storage can be cut in half for each 1% increase in moisture content or 6°C increase in temperature. Fungal growth and pests are also associated with warm, moist conditions, and it is estimated [...]
The SBC is proud to announce that our proposal ranked in the Top 200 for the 100&Change MacArthur Foundation competition. The 100&Change competition awards a $100 million grant to fund a single proposal that will make measurable progress toward solving a significant problem. With 801 total submissions from all around the globe, the Top 200 [...]
A new invention from UC Davis researchers won a competition as the top emerging technology to reduce food loss and waste across the African continent. The low-cost tool, called the DryCardTM, shows farmers whether their dried food products are dry enough to store safely, reducing food losses and risks of mold and associated toxins. [...]
"Absorbent Beads Could Save Energy—and Lives" in MIT Technology Review: SBC Director Kent Bradford believes a simple ceramic bead that sucks moisture out of the air can make agriculture far more energy efficient and much less expensive. The beads were developed by Rhino Research in Thailand. Bradford and his collaborators there have spent several years testing [...]
The DryCard™ is an inexpensive device developed by UC Davis researchers for determining if dried food is at a low enough moisture content to prevent mold growth during storage. Moldy food has a bad taste and may be contaminated with harmful toxins. Molds will not grow if the air around a product is lower [...]
Distinguished professor and SBC director Kent Bradford was an invited keynote at the 2nd Pakistan Seed Congress, held at the University of Agriculture in Falsalabad (UAF). Technical sessions were led by local and international keynote speakers under the theme of “Seed Security for Sustainable Agriculture”. To conclude the event, a training workshop was held on [...]
Declines of seed viability in storage and losses of stored commodities due to fungal spoilage and insect pests are promoted by high moisture content. However, measuring seed or grain moisture content in the field can be difficult, particularly in rural locations in developing countries. Because seed/commodity moisture content is uniquely related to equilibrium relative [...]
NEED TO CONFIRM DATES... Providing smallholder farmers access to high-quality seeds of improved varieties of horticultural crops is fundamental to increasing productivity and incomes. In humid tropical regions, traditional seed production and storage methods without temperature and moisture control result in rapid deterioration of seed quality. Enabling seed companies to dry, store, and [...]
In many developing countries, seeds are still dried under the sun and are not stored properly. Hot and humid climates make seeds deteriorate rapidly, resulting in lower germination rate and lower yields. Rhino Research, a seed technology firm in Thailand, has developed a fast and easy method for drying seeds and prolonging their shelf [...]
Improving the ability of smallholders to access high-quality seeds of improved varieties of horticultural crops is fundamental to increasing productivity and incomes. Traditional seed production and storage methods in humid tropical regions without temperature and moisture control result in rapid deterioration of seed quality. With collaborating institutions and partners, this project will demonstrate and [...]
