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This article describes the use of weather data collected over several years for the development of strategies for planning and management of in-store grain drying operations. China was chosen for this study due to the size of its grain industry and the climatic diversity of the country. In-store drying is well established throughout China and the strategies chosen are determined by weather conditions prevailing in various regions of the country. Seven agro-climatic regions were identified, characterized by climatic conditions leading to particular storage practices. These regions include the Qingzang Plateau, Inner Mongolia Xinjiang, Northeast China, Northern China, Central China, Southwest China, and Southern China. In-store drying, combining drying and storage operations, reduces moisture content of grain from 18 to 14% (wb). It uses higher air flow rates than aeration. Weather data including temperature and relative humidity from the main storage regions in China were analyzed using computer simulations of in-store drying of three major cereal crops, namely, wheat, maize, and paddy rice. The findings from this study, related to equipment requirements and strategies to be used, provide a valuable tool for optimization of operations in the grain industry. The concepts developed could be applied in any grain-growing region in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) were fermented with bacteria or yeast. The microbial growth on three DDGS media-unmodified DDGS, enzyme-pretreated DDGS, and supplemented DDGS – was compared with standard media. Comparative growth profile indicated peaks in microbial growths at different times. The highest specific growth rates (SGR) of 0.6, 0.54 and 0.51h−1 were observed for Saccharomyces Boulardii on unmodified DDGS, yeast extract, and enzyme-modified DDGS, respectively. Pediococcus Acidilactici and Lactobacillus Plantarum had the SGR of 0.17 and 0.07h−1, respectively, on control DDGS. However, L. Plantarum on unmodified DDGS demonstrated the highest cell count (2.91×1011 CFU/mL), followed by S. boulardii at 1.5×109 CFU/mL on YEPD, and P. acidilactici at 1.16×1010 CFU/mL on MRS (de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe) media. Protein digestibility of DDGS improved slightly due to fermentation, and resulted in reduced phytic acid content for some treatments. Production of lactic acid was highest on unmodified DDGS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Drying plays an important role in the postharvesting process of grain. To ensure the quality of the dried grain and improve the intelligent level in drying process, a digital simulation of corn drying machine system based on a virtual instrument was established for 5HSZ dryer, automatically control the air temperature, and predict the discharging speed of grain and so forth. Finally, an online measurement and automated control software of grain parameters were developed to provide the changes of moisture, temperature, humidity, and germination rate in the process of drying. The study carried out in the actual processing showed that it can meet the requirements of the actual drying operation, effectively control the stability of the grain moisture, and keep the dry food quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The moisture transport and stress development mechanisms were elucidated for corn kernels using numerical solution of three-scale fluid transport equation. The 3D kernel structure was captured using micro-CT scanning and imported into finite elements package. The experimental drying profiles were predicted with reasonable accuracy (R 2 =0.88–0.99 and CV=3.5–9.5%). During simulations, the region with highest moisture content was observed to be away from the geometric center covering parts of soft-endosperm and germ. The high moisture flux was observed under the pericarp, in soft-endosperm toward top and in region connecting soft-endosperm and germ. The germ due to its lower moisture diffusivity in comparison to hard and soft endosperms, retained higher moisture and exhibited lower moisture flux. These observations agreed with previous magnetic resonance imaging based studies. Intermittent drying simulations indicated that fan on/off strategies with suitable time step-size would be a viable option for drying corn with lower stress-cracking and additional energy savings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective of this work was to study and model the drying process of corn ears at different air temperatures. Thermodynamic properties associated with the drying process of this product were also determined. Corn ears with initial moisture content of 0.45 dry basis (kgwkgdm-1) were dried until they reached a final moisture content of 0.12 (kgwkgdm-1) at temperatures of 45, 55 and 65°C. Traditional models used to describe the drying process of several agricultural products were employed to fit the observed data of the drying process of corn ears. The effective diffusion coefficient (Def) was determined by means of an analytical solution of Fick's second law. It was concluded that the Logarithmic model was the one that best fit the observed data representing the drying process. Def values increased with temperature increases, ranging from 5.490 x 10-10 to 1.163 x 10-9 m² s-1. Based on the dependence of the drying constant of the Logarithmic model with temperature, thermodynamic properties were determined, concluding that the drying kinetics variation is dependent on the energy contributions of the surrounding environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave drying of corn (Zea mays L. ssp.) was conducted in this study and its germination was tested after drying. The objective of the test was to determine an optimum microwave drying method for corn seeds to achieve maximum germination and minimum drying time, as well as to obtain the maximum temperature that can achieve the best results without reducing the viability. The different methods used for drying included constant temperature drying at 30, 40, and 50°C; intermittent power microwave drying; and fixed power microwave drying at 2, 3, 3.5, and 4 W/g. The drying was started with an initial moisture content of 33% (wb) and ended with a final moisture content of 16% (wb). In the constant temperature method, the microwave power was automatically controlled to keep the temperature constant throughout the drying period. A control cycle of 20 s was used for intermittent drying in which the microwave generator was on for 12 s and off for 8 s throughout the drying process. In fixed power microwave drying, the power was constant throughout the process. The germination tests were conducted on all samples with the rolled blotting paper method. The minimum drying time was reached with 4 W/g fixed power where 0% germination resulted. The optimum method for drying of corn seeds for maintaining a high germination rate was 4 W/g intermittent power microwave drying, which took 110 min to dry from 33% moisture content to 16% (wb). The germination percentage of 4 W/g intermittent power was 93.3%. The maximum permissible temperature of corn seeds when subjected to intermittent microwave power resulting in maximum germination was 67°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of corn dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS) and enzyme premix (mannanase + phytase) supplementation on the growth performance, carcass and meat quality parameters in finishing pigs. Sixty hybrid pigs (L × LW × D) with initial weight of 63.92 ± 1.50 kg were used in a 3 × 2 factorial design with main effects of DDGS levels (0, 10 and 20%) and enzyme premix levels (0% vs. 0.14%). Average daily gain (ADG, P < 0.01) and average daily feed intake (ADFI, P < 0.05) were decreased due to an increased level of DDGS additive while the feed conversion ratio was improved ( P < 0.05) by adding enzyme premix. The diet cost/gain (won/kg) was saved ( P < 0.01) due to an increased level of DDGS additive. There were no significant differences in carcass characteristics and meat quality parameters of Longissimus dorsi muscle by DDGS level and enzyme premix. Palmitoleic acid, oleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) decreased ( P < 0.05) according to DDGS level. The results indicate that DDGS may be used in feeds for finishing pig as a replacement of corn and soybean meal without affecting their carcass characteristics and meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drying characteristics of shelled corn (Zea mays L) with an initial moisture content of 26% dry basis (db) was studied in a fluidized bed dryer assisted by microwave heating. Four air temperatures (30, 40, 50 and 60°C) and five microwave powers (180, 360, 540, 720 and 900 W) were studied. Several experiments were conducted to obtain data for sample moisture content versus drying time. The results showed that increasing the drying air temperature resulted in up to 5% decrease in drying time while in the microwave-assisted fluidized bed system, the drying time decreased dramatically up to 50% at a given and corresponding drying air temperature at each microwave energy level. As a result, addition of microwave energy to the fluidized bed drying is recommended to enhance the drying rate of shelled corn. Furthermore, in the present study, the application of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for predicting the drying time (output parameter for ANN modeling) was investigated. Microwave power, drying air temperature and grain moisture content were considered as input parameters for the model. An ANN model with 170 neurons was selected for studying the influence of transfer functions and training algorithms. The results revealed that a network with the Tansig (hyperbolic tangent sigmoid) transfer function and trainrp (Resilient back propagation) back propagation algorithm made the most accurate predictions for the shelled corn drying system. The effects of uncertainties in output experimental data and ANN prediction values on root mean square error (RMSE) were studied by introducing small random errors within a range of ±5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Societe et Environnement is the property of Les Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: Biological products contain high moisture content in the harvest period. Such moisture could cause their deterioration in storage. Drying is an interesting solution to keep the quality of these products. Generally, drying process is based on contact of a dry air phase with a wet solid. A theoretical model was developed to describe the dynamic behavior of a forced convection drying process. This model takes into account the entire dynamic phenomenon including turbulence, diffusivity and tortuosity effects. Only the mass transfer of water molecules during vaporization was referred to as an empirical expression. The model thus strongly build, was compared to Thompson’s empirical model. Corn grain was used in the validating process. Transient temperature and water content results are presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Water regulations have decreased irrigation water supplies in Nebraska and some other areas of the USA Great Plains. When available water is not enough to meet crop water requirements during the entire growing cycle, it becomes critical to know the proper irrigation timing that would maximize yields and profits. This study evaluated the effect of timing of a deficit-irrigation allocation (150mm) on crop evapotranspiration (ETc), yield, water use efficiency (WUE=yield/ETc), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE=yield/irrigation), and dry mass (DM) of corn (Zea mays L.) irrigated with subsurface drip irrigation in the semiarid climate of North Platte, NE. During 2005 and 2006, a total of sixteen irrigation treatments (eight each year) were evaluated, which received different percentages of the water allocation during July, August, and September. During both years, all treatments resulted in no crop stress during the vegetative period and stress during the reproductive stages, which affected ETc, DM, yield, WUE and IWUE. Among treatments, ETc varied by 7.2 and 18.8%; yield by 17 and 33%; WUE by 12 and 22%, and IWUE by 18 and 33% in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Yield and WUE both increased linearly with ETc and with ETc/ETp (ETp=seasonal ETc with no water stress), and WUE increased linearly with yield. The yield response factor (ky) averaged 1.50 over the two seasons. Irrigation timing affected the DM of the plant, grain, and cob, but not that of the stover. It also affected the percent of DM partitioned to the grain (harvest index), which increased linearly with ETc and averaged 56.2% over the two seasons, but did not affect the percent allocated to the cob or stover. Irrigation applied in July had the highest positive coefficient of determination (R 2) with yield. This high positive correlation decreased considerably for irrigation applied in August, and became negative for irrigation applied in September. The best positive correlation between the soil water deficit factor (Ks) and yield occurred during weeks 12–14 from crop emergence, during the “milk” and “dough” growth stages. Yield was poorly correlated to stress during weeks 15 and 16, and the correlation became negative after week 17. Dividing the 150mm allocation about evenly among July, August and September was a good strategy resulting in the highest yields in 2005, but not in 2006. Applying a larger proportion of the allocation in July was a good strategy during both years, and the opposite resulted when applying a large proportion of the allocation in September. The different results obtained between years indicate that flexible irrigation scheduling techniques should be adopted, rather than relying on fixed timing strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to develop a method to characterize the diffusivity of different components of yellow-dent corn kernels. The equation was proposed to describe the moisture diffusivity of yellow-dent corn kernel components. In the equation D (m2/s), T (K), and M (dry basis) are moisture diffusivity, temperature, and moisture content, respectively; whereas D 0 (m2/s), C (K), and n are parameters for each component. In order to determine these parameters, each component was separated from the corn kernels and its drying curves were measured at controlled conditions using a Moisture Sorption Analyzer. The parameters were determined by an optimization algorithm that minimized the sum of squares of differences between the measured and calculated moisture contents. As moisture sorption data can provide typical drying curves obtained under well specified and controlled external conditions, the minimization algorithm involved the inversion of the typical drying equation governing the transfer of moisture through the corn kernel. Thus, Fick''s second law of diffusion, solved using the COMSOL Multiphysics package, was used to describe moisture transfer in the drying samples. Information obtained in this study is needed to model moisture transfer within corn kernels during the drying process and minimize drying-induced stress cracks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Relationships between swelling capacities, pasting properties, rotational flow behaviour and textural properties of hydro-thermally heated wet-milled starch granules from corn dried between 60 and 130°C were investigated. High-drying temperatures applied during the corn drying process conferred to the wet-milled starch granules (WSG) such a rigidity which reduced their swelling capacities, their water binding capacities and their water solubility index after gelatinization. These granules changes affected their pasting characteristics, their flow behaviour and several textural parameters of gel formed from the wet-milled starch granule after gelatinization. The rigidity of granules was a major factor determining the formation of either starch pastes or gels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Despite the availability of modern hybrids and better agronomic practices, there existed large gaps between attainable yield of maize (Zea mays L.) grown with recommended practices and producers’ harvest yields in the humid temperate regions of eastern Canada. A field experiment was conducted for 3 years in Ottawa, Canada, to determine the most important management yield-limiting factor(s) on rainfed maize grain production. A package of recommended practices (RP) was composed with the recommended levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), micronutrients, chemical weed control, and plant population density (PPD). Each factor was modified from the RP, making a total of 11 treatments. Under the low occurrence of diseases or insects, weed infestation was the most important yield-limiting factor, which reduced grain yield by 27–38%. While lack of preplant N application (100kgha−1) reduced yield by 10–22%, there was no yield increment with additional sidedressing N (50kgNha−1). Grain yield was reduced by 8–13% with low PPD (60,000plantsha−1) in all years, whereas increasing PPD to 90,000plantsha−1 did not improve yield, compared with the RP. Withhold P application did not affect yield in all years, but yield was reduced by up to 13% in the absence of K, and by 10% and 12% without Zn or Mn, respectively, in 1 year. Our results indicated that lack of weed control (i.e. herbicide use) was the major yield-limiting factor followed by fertilizer N and PPD. The responses of grain yield to K, Zn, and Mn were site and/or year specific. Our study provided experimental data and an insight understanding of yield gap between genotype''s yield potential achievable with recommended practices and yields with producers’ practices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Post-harvest drying of shelled corn grain requires large amounts of fossil fuel energy. In 2004, it was estimated that the upper Midwest consumed more than $1.4 billion of fossil fuels to dry $19.7 billion of corn grain. Over the long term, drying corn with fossil fuels may become cost prohibitive due to limited fuel reserves. To address future energy concerns for grain dryers, this study evaluated the potential use of combined heat and power (CHP) systems that use the combustion of corn stover both to produce heat for drying and to generate electricity for fans, augers, and control components. Net present value (NPV) cost estimates were determined for two continuous-flow dryers: a relatively small on-farm dryer (8.9 Mg h-1), and a larger dryer more common to grain elevators (73 Mg h-1). For each dryer, three levels of assumed stover price were used: $15, $25, and $35 per dry Mg for the small dryer, and $30, $45, and $60 per dry Mg for the larger dryer (includes payments to farmer and off-farm transport costs). Compared to equivalently sized fossil fuel-fired dryers, both the small and large CHP dryers were found to be more economical over the long term. Twenty-year NPV cost savings and breakeven points were estimated to be $63,523 and 14.3 years for the small CHP dryer ($25 Mg-1 stover) and $1,804,482 and Z5 years for the large dryer ($45 Mg-1 stover). Sharing CHP infrastructure with other processes requiring heat that extend seasonal use can reduce payback periods significantly and provide broader efficiency benefits. Sensitivity analysis found cost savings to be most sensitive to fluctuations in fossil fuel costs, followed by annual use of dryer equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We the report results of a coordinated mitigation effort aimed at reducing arsenic (As) exposure in three counties of Guizhou province, China. Mitigation occurred in 2005 and encompassed 21 villages with 47,000 inhabitants, who were exposed to high levels of As in their diet through consumption of As-contaminated chili peppers and corn dried over unventilated stoves that burned coal containing high levels of As. The coal was mined by villagers from local pits. Inhalation of air that contained high levels of As contributed to approximately 25% of the daily As intake of 6-9 mg. Before mitigation, a baseline survey of 45,364 residents in 2004 identified more than 2,800 individuals with arsenicosis. The survey also found that many residents were aware of the health effects of As in general but lacked in-depth understanding of the link between coal use and arsenicosis. Consequently, an overwhelming majority (> 95%) continued to use high-As coal. This survey provided the basis for a health education campaign that promoted lifestyle changes coupled with the shutting down of local coal pits and the installation of 10,000 new stoves with chimneys for ventilation. The cost of the mitigation was about 4 million Yuan RMB (US$500,000) and was financed mostly by the government. A postmitigation response survey in 2005 found that > 85% of the residents now associate the use of coal with arsenicosis; > 90% correctly learned to operate the new ventilated stoves; and > 90% dry corn and chili peppers outdoors in the sun. Urinary As concentrations in the region decreased from 0.198 ± 0.300 mg/L (n = 144) in 2004 to 0.049 ± 0.009 mg/L (n = 50) in 2005 in individuals with arsenicosis (p < 0.01), which is consistent with the behavior changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives were to investigate the effect of premature ensiling of maize on alcohol fermentation in laboratory silos and the loss of fermentation products and glucose in silage following drying at 60°C for 48 h. During four consecutive weeks maize was harvested and ensiled for 60 days in vacuum-sealed laboratory silos. The content of DM in silage increased (p<0.001), whereas acetate and ethanol decreased (p<0.01) with later time of harvest. Concentrations of methanol and propanol were generally <1 g/kg DM and the content of 2-butanol <0.03 g/kg DM. The content of D-glucose was lower (p=0.03) in silage harvested the second week compared with the other harvest times (40.9 vs. 66-69 g/kg DM). Overall, silage pH was negatively correlated with L-lactate (r=-0.93). Drying increased pH, butyrate and valerate, although the numerical effect was small. A major portion of acetate was lost in drying, and the D-glucose content was reduced by approximately 45% after drying. Alcohols and esters were completely lost in drying. We conclude that ensiling of pre-mature maize does not lead to extensive alcohol fermentation in laboratory silos following 60 days of ensiling, and that dry matter correction based on fermentation products determined in dry samples may be erroneous due to inability to predict wet sample content from samples dried at 60°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrids with low grain moisture (GM) at harvest are specially required in mid- to short-season environments. One of the most important factors determining this trait is field grain drying rate (FDR). To produce hybrids with low GM at harvest, inbred lines can be obtained through selection for either GM or FDR. Thus, a single-cross population (181 F 2:3-generation plants) of two divergent inbred lines was evaluated to locate QTL affecting GM at harvest and FDR as a starting point for marker assisted selection (MAS). Moisture measurements were made with a hand-held moisture meter. Detection of QTL was facilitated with interval mapping in one and two dimensions including an interaction term, and a genetic linkage map of 122 SSR loci covering 1,557.8 cM. The markers were arranged in ten linkage groups. QTL mapping was made for the mean trait performance of the F 2:3 population across years. Ten QTL and an interaction were associated with GM. These QTL accounted for 54.8 and 65.2% of the phenotypic and genotypic variation, respectively. Eight QTL and two interactions were associated with FDR accounting for 35.7 and 45.2% of the phenotypic and genotypic variation, respectively. Two regions were in common between traits. The interaction between QTL for GM at harvest had practical implications for MAS. We conclude that MAS per se will not be an efficient method for reducing GM at harvest and/or increasing FDR. A selection index including both molecular marker information and phenotypic values, each appropriately weighted, would be the best selection strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corn drying is an energy-intensive process. Thus, the management of energy use is critical for economical corn drying. The Central Black Sea Region covering Amasya, Çorum, Ordu, Samsun and Tokat provinces has climatic and agronomic conditions suitable for corn production. However, the drying of newly harvested wet corn stays as a major problem lot farmers since it is traditionally dried by spreading it on the ground in open atmosphere. Low temperature drying was selected in this computational study to dry corn safely. Fan power, heating power, total electric energy need of fan and total heating energy needed and to dry 1 ton corn from 25% (wb) initial moisture content to 13% (wb) final moisture content were estimated in September, October and November for each province. The airflow requirements (i.e., 159.1 m³·ton-1·h-1 for Amasya) and overall electric energy needs of selected fans (i.e., 27245 kJ·ton-1 for Amasya) in September are more than in November (68.3 m³·ton-1·h-1 and 10221 kJ·ton-1, respectively) because of quick deterioration of wet corn associated with high air temperatures in September. On the other hand, heating power requirements showed a mixed trend while the total heating energy needs consistently increased for all provinces when the drying operation was moved from September to November. In conclusion, the estimated total heating need increased while the estimated total electric energy need of fan decreased since the heating process increased the adiabatic drying potential of air, which in turn reduced the amount of air volume having to he flown through corn in the drying bin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flint and dent corn were forced air-dried at 70–110 °C to a final moisture of about 12.0%. The rates of water absorption of both hybrids in the presence of 0.25% SO2 aqueous solution were evaluated in terms of the diffusion coefficient. Drying temperature affected negatively the rate of absorption of both hybrids. A laboratory wet-milling procedure was developed to evaluate starch recovery of corn samples. For flint corn starch recovery drop from 96.5% (undried) to 82% (dried at 110 °C); for dent corn the drop was from 97.5% to 90%. The starch isolated from air-dried corn contained greater amounts of protein than starch originated from undried corn. The effect was more marked for flint than for dent corn and increased with the drying temperature. Sorptional characteristics of starch were practically unaffected by drying temperature. DSC transition temperatures of starch showed an increasing tendency with drying temperature. For both hybrids the gelatinization enthalpy of starch decreased with the increasing of drying temperature, the effect being more marked for flint than for dent corn. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To understand the viscoelastic characteristics (i.e. hardness) of the maize (Zea Mays L.) grain in relation to high-temperature drying, a breakage tester (HT-I drop tester) was developed and single-grain breakage at various grain temperatures and times after drying was determined. Both hard and soft maize hybrid varieties had minimal breakage at high grain temperatures (78–110°C), while decreasing grain temperature increased breakage exponentially. After drying at both 60 and 120°C, the percentage breakage measured at ambient temperature increased rapidly during cooling in air at an ambient temperature of 20°C and a relative humidity in the range 65–70%. Breakage reached a maximum after about 10 min from the start of cooling. A Mitscherlich function described the chronological development of percent grain breakage. Analysis of the function parameters for the extent (maximum) and rate of breakage indicated that there was a significant interaction between variety and drying temperature for the development of grain breakage after drying. These results indicated that grain temperature should be considered as a co-factor when assessing grain breakage susceptibility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A commercially available radio-frequency (RF) application unit was used to estimate the dry matter (DM) content of chopped maize. Chopped maize with a known DM content was placed in the application chamber of the RF unit and a defined power was applied until there was no more power reflected due to an automatic matching network. At this point, the voltage between the capacitor plates and the device-specific parameters, load position and tune position, were recorded. By means of regression analysis, it was possible to clearly explain the variance of the DM content with the parameters measured. However, the relations developed were especially unsatisfactory when different sample weights and densities were included in the analysis. A good adaptability of the model was achieved by using the mass of water as a dependent variable. Calculating a regression equation with data from one farm and estimating the water mass in the samples from another farm using this equation, the correlation coefficient between the real and estimated water content was 0·98. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Offers information on a project with third grade students, on corn dehydration, in which popping corn seed was used. Description of the project; Estimated amount of time it would take for an ear of corn to completely dry; Projections made by students on the drying process.

The trend toward on-farm drying of corn is not consistent with the economic advantage of the elevator in performing the drying function. This study examines the factors that have influenced this trend, using four related analytical models: (1) an aggregate model using county census data; (2) a profit-maximization model of individual farmers; (3) a weighted regression of ownership probabilities based on farm and elevator survey data; and (4) a regression model of behavior response by market areas. Results of these models provide a composite picture of the relationships influencing the decision to dry corn on the farm. Three independent sources of data add validity to the overall conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Societe et Environnement is the property of Les Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

An abstract of the article "Maize Grain Drying Using Diatomaceous Earth," by Ferenc Pál-Fám and Sándor Keszthelyi is presented.