AN EVALUATION ON GRAIN QUALITY UNDER POST HARVEST STORAGE IN SELECTED INDIAN WHEAT VARIETIES

Wheat belongs to the genus Triticum of the grass family, Poaceae. This genus is originated in tropical South west Asia, where it occurs in wild as well as in cultivated forms. Man has depended upon the wheat plant for thousands of years. Wheat (the Triticum spp.) is cultivated worldwide. The grain production varies from year to year and hence the grains should be stored strategically from years of overproduction for the use in year of under production. Also grain must be stored for several other reasons such as point of production is not the point of consumption and the time of production is not the time of consumption. Stored grains can have losses in both quantity and quality. Grain quality after harvest is influenced by a wide variety of biotic and abiotic factors and has been studied as a stored grain ecosystem. Losses occur when the grain is attacked by microorganism and other organisms including insects, mites, rodents and birds. The grain losses found in quantity and quality; can be in the form of depletion in seed viability, hardness, color, size and shape, grain weight and various biochemical parameters viz., protein, carbohydrate and vitamins under post harvest storages. The storage fungi damage the grains in several ways; they reduce the germinability, produce undesirable odor and kernel discoloration, decrease the food value and also produce toxins injurious to the health of consumers.