Location: Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research
2020 Annual Report
Objectives
Quality and quantity of grain and their products can be enhanced by application of engineering principles to cultivar development, crop monitoring, harvesting, marketing, handling, storage, and processing. Our objectives are the following:
1. Develop technologies and techniques to rapidly evaluate grain quality that increase breeding efficiency and improve marketability.
A. The application of automated single kernel deoxynivalenol (DON) analysis to aid breeders in studying Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance mechanisms in wheat.
B. Develop spectroscopic methods for rapid phenotyping to detect barley yellow dwarf (BYD) virus infection and resistance.
C. Develop fourier-transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy methods to measure grain traits.
D. Develop a rapid, non-destructive method to predict bread quality of hard red winter wheat (HRW) at the first point of sale.
E. Develop imaging and near-infrared and visible spectroscopy instrumentation for sorting haploid and hybrid maize seeds.
F. Develop integrated measurement systems for rapid and efficient phenotyping of seeds.
G. Develop automated single kernel and bulk analysis methods to determine damage levels in wheat kernels caused by the Sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps.
2. Enable stored grain management practices that enhance grain quality, mitigate effects of changing climates, and prevent insect infestations.
A. Determine the accuracy, safety enhancements, and labor reduction of automated insect monitoring probe traps.
B. Develop improved grain aeration and fumigation strategies for insect-pest control in stored grain.
C. Determine the effect of time in storage and aeration on stored grain packing factors.
Pre-harvest quality can be improved through rapid phenotyping technology that relates phenotypic traits to plant genetics. Post-harvest quality can be improved though methods to measure grain traits and methods to enhance storage conditions. Changing climates are expected to produce extreme weather conditions, leading to a need for accelerated breeding programs and improved storage technology to maintain and improve yields and quality. Our unique facilities include the ability to study climate change influences on plant physical, physiological and morphological status through our expertise in instrumentation combined with use of our grain storage facilities and access to greenhouses.
Approach
United States farmers grow over 77 million metric tons of corn, wheat, soybeans, and other grains, worth over $115 billion annually, to supply the nation and the world with food, animal feed, and biofuels. Our goal is to improve U.S. grain quality and international competitiveness through the application of engineering principles to rapidly measure grain traits, and to maintain grain quality during storage. We propose to develop instruments to rapidly measure quality traits for inspection at the first point of grain delivery, for breeders when selecting traits for new lines, and for processors prior to grain buying or processing. We also propose to develop chemical-free technology to control insects and maintain quality during handling and storage. This research will lead to higher profits for the agriculture sector, higher-quality foods reaching consumers, and more food available for a growing world population.
Progress Report
All main objectives and subobjectives of this project were met or substantially met. This is the final report for 3020-43440-008-00D which is replaced by the bridging project 3020-43440-009-00D of the same title, “Impacting Quality through Preservation, Enhancement, and Measurement of Grain and Plant Traits.”
Objective 1. Over the project life, research under this objective has developed new methods for using near infrared spectroscopy and other imaging methods for analysis of grain and other products to detect composition, quality and defects.
Fusarium head blight samples were obtained and scanned using fourier-transform near-infrared spectroscopy to correlate spectra to Type I, II and III resistance. Samples were separated into size fractions and analyzed for quality traits. Thousands of breeder samples were evaluated, and information provided to breeders to develop lines with deoxynivalenol and fusarium head blight resistance traits.
Continued work on lipid-based discrimination of doubled haploid corn seeds using single kernel near infrared spectroscopy showed good promise to expedite varietal development by producing inbred lines much quicker than using repeated self-pollination. Doubled haploid and hybrid maize sorting based on oil content showed that the normally small pool of doubled haploids could be enriched by up to five times by eliminating hybrids. Hand techniques used for initial work are being replaced by two automated, high-rate, near infrared spectroscopy systems and used in collaborative work at two universities.
Wheat seed phenotyping was performed with a two-camera system and mirrored surface to allow the capture of four orthogonal images. A seed volume image algorithm was developed and will be combined with weight to give seed density estimates and test weight. This will be used for small grain phenotyping and related to milling and yield. An instrument was developed to measure small seed compositional, morphology with imaging and mass and is being used by small grain breeders for wheat, barley and oat phenotyping.
The flour from smutty wheat samples were imaged to quantify dark specs in the flour due to the smut. This information will be used to develop prediction models to predict smut.
Sunn pest belongs to group of insects similar to shield or stink bugs. They inject wheat berries with an enzyme which degrades the protein and bread making quality. Near infrared and visible spectral scans of Sunn pest damaged wheat berries were obtained and used to determine if damage can be quantified. Discriminate models to identify insect damaged wheat kernels caused by Sunn pest were developed.
Near infrared spectroscopy was also used to detect traits of insects that transmit infectious diseases, such as malaria, Zika, and dengue.
Near infrared spectroscopy was used to discriminate oat from other grains to provide a method to assure a gluten free product stream. This was adopted by a major manufacturer of cereal products. It was also successfully used to predict single kernel protein in popcorn and is being studied to determine the effect of protein content on popping volume. Near infrared prediction of oat beta-glucans, protein and lipids were developed to evaluate commercial oat varieties and lines to help facilitate increasing beta-glucan content and understand correlations between these. Near infrared and visible spectroscopy to detect black tip damaged wheat and sprouted wheat kernels using imaging methods and near infrared spectroscopy of single seeds. Black tip adversely affects flour appearance quality and spouting affects dough development.
Vigor and germination of bulk hybrid rice paddy seeds were studied with near infrared spectroscopy with results showing this non-destructive method could classify paddy seeds according to the rate of germination. This can be used to quickly sort seed lots based on germination.
Detection and quantification of chalkiness and alkaline spreading value in rice was investigated using multi-spectral near infrared instruments. Both of these traits affect the quality of U.S. rice, particularly for long grain varieties.
Effectiveness of a modified 1-hr air-oven moisture method for determining popcorn moisture was compared to the standard 72-hr method which resulted in adoption of the more practical 1-hr method.
Objective 2. Methods to improve quality preservation of stored grain and evaluate and measure grain conditions during storage were developed.
Heat transfer models were developed to predict the cooling pattern of low-oil distiller dried grains and solubles (DDGS) piles to gain insight on how to prevent or minimize caking which causes problems in transferring material. The models were successfully validated with field data.
Grain stored in a bin undergoes compression from the weight exerted from the overlying material in the bin. Calculating compression is essential to estimate the current U.S. grain supply. The extent of compression depends on crop type, test weight, moisture content, bin wall material, bin size, and other factors and results in an increase in density. Studies were conducted to improve the prediction of grain packing by including storage time, aeration, and effect of loading cycles. Secondary grain parameters like high dockage wheat, high damage for corn, and presence of genetically modified organisms traits were investigated. Models between test weight without dockage and the bulk density with dockage were obtained based on data during the wheat harvest from three regional elevators. Models were developed to predict bulk density with dockage when test weight without dockage and dockage levels are given. These results will be crucial for determining grain packing inventory parameters for wheat bins.
Phosphine studies of sealed bins compared distributions from probed phosphine tablets to a closed-loop recirculation system. Uneven distribution and leakage over time were observed with tablets, resulting in the lower grain mass areas receiving a zero dose and other areas below the target concentrations for the fumigation period. Closed-loop systems with the same dosage yielded more uniform concentrations but suffered from equal or greater leakage losses. Study benefits will be improved fumigation efficacy and reduced phosphine-resistant insects.
Aerosol insecticides are widely used as less harmful replacements for methyl bromide to control stored product insects. Good aerosol application requires knowing equipment spray characteristics and environmental influences. Characteristics of handheld sprayers and compressed gas sprayers were studied. Handhelds generated much larger droplets and more variable droplet size distribution than the compressed gas sprayers. Larger droplets resulted in lower coverage area and efficacy. Average deposition was not significantly affected by the different compressed gas manifolds. Study results will be improved spray techniques for stored product insects, and testing methods in large-scale spray testing in flour mills.
Grain dust explosions occur when dust accumulates to critical concentrations in a confined space and is exposed to oxygen and an ignition source. Facilities that handle grain are at risk of explosion from dust released during handling. Adhesion forces holding dust particles to the grain requires better understanding to mitigate the separation of dust from grain. Our research shows that a portion of total dust is likely to be detached during any handling and care is needed to limit grain velocities so as to not detach strongly attached dust. Dust was analyzed for physical characteristics; circularity, length, width, roughness, attachment strength, and particle size. Large particles were mostly starch, while smaller particles were commonly soil. Strongly attached particles had lower surface roughness than those weakly attached. Results improve our understanding of how dust particles are removed from corn and will be valuable for improving handling to increase safety and reduce health hazards.
The grain industry requires accurate grain bulk density values for grain grading, designing storage systems, and estimating the mass of grain in bins. In storage bins bulk density varies due to overbearing pressure of the grain, handling during filling, and differing material properties e.g. particle density, size distribution. Computer modelling using the discrete element method was used to evaluate the movement and interactions of each grain particle and was found to be an effective method for studying how handling processes and material properties affect the bulk density. Two particle models were studied for simulating the effect of grain drop height on the bulk densities of hard red winter wheat cultivars. Model simulations of density measurement agreed with experimental results. Simulations also matched experimental results showing bulk density increasing with higher grain drop heights. Bulk grain density modelling will provide the storage industry with better design tools resulting in better and more cost-efficient designs.
Design, construction and evaluation of a novel low-cost hand moisture meter suitable for emerging countries was completed. This design was adapted from technology previously developed for the U.S. grain storage industry and is a commercialized product.
Accomplishments
1. Grain modelling provides better tools for storage design. The grain industry requires accurate grain bulk density values for grain grading, designing storage systems, and estimating the mass of grain in bins. In storage bins bulk density varies due to overbearing pressure of the grain, handling processes during filling, and with differing material properties such as particle density and size distribution. Computer modelling using the discrete element method was used to evaluate the movement and interactions of each grain particle and was found to be an effective method for studying how handling processes and material properties affect the bulk density. Two particle models were studied for simulating the effect of grain drop height on the bulk densities of two cultivars of hard red winter wheat. Cultivars had differing particle size distributions and differences in measured bulk density. The simulations of density measurement using the particle models agreed with experimental results, with a lower simulated bulk density based on the differing particle size distribution. The simulations also matched experimental results showing bulk density increasing with higher grain drop heights. Bulk grain density modelling will provide the storage industry with better tools for design which should result in better and more cost-efficient designs.
Review Publications
Serson, W., Armstrong, P.R., Maghirang, E.B., AL-Bakri, A., Phillips, T., AL-Amery, M., Su, K., Hildebrand, D. 2020. Development of whole and ground seed near-infrared spectroscopy calibrations for oil, protein, moisture and fatty acids in Salvia hispanica. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 97(1):3-13. https://doi.org/10.1002/aocs.12300.
Brabec, D.L., Perez-Fajardo, M., Dogan, H., Yeater, K.M., Maghirang, E.B. 2018. Effectiveness of modified 1-hour air-oven moisture methods for determining popcorn moisture. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 34(3):617-621. https://doi.org/10.13031/aea.12621.
Casada, M.E., Thompson, S.A., Armstrong, P.R., McNeill, S.G., Maghirang, R.G., Montross, M.D., Turner, A.P. 2019. Forces on monitoring cables during grain bin filling and emptying. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 35(3):409-415. https://doi.org/10.13031/aea.13147.
Al-Amery, M., Geneve, R.L., Sanches, M., Armstrong, P.R., Maghirang, E.B., Lee, C., Vieira, R., Hildebrand, D. 2018. Near-infrared spectroscopy used to predict soybean seed germination and vigor. Seed Science Research. 28(3):245-252. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960258518000119.
Antony, R., Kirkham, M., Todd, T., Bean, S.R., Wilson, J.D., Armstrong, P.R., Maghirang, E.B., Brabec, D.L. 2019. Low-temperature tolerance of maize and sorghum seedlings grown under the same environmental conditions. Journal of Crop Improvement. 33(3):287-305. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2019.1579139.
Siliveru, K., Casada, M.E., Ambrose, R.P.K. 2019. Heat transfer during cooling of bulk distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 35(4):569-577. https://doi.org/10.13031/aea.13158.
Clinesmith, M.A., Fritz, A.K., Lemes da Silva, C., Bockus, W.W., Poland, J.A., Dowell, F.E., Peiris, K.H.S. 2019. QTL mapping of Fusarium head blight resistance in winter wheat cultivars 'Art' and 'Everest'. Crop Science. 59(3):911-924. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2018.04.0276.
Morrison III, W.R., Larson, N.R., Brabec, D.L., Zhang, A. 2019. Methyl benzoate as a putative alternative, environmentally-friendly fumigant for the control of stored product insects. Journal of Economic Entomology. 112(5):2458-2468. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz179.
Yabwalo, D.N., Berzonsky, W.A., Brabec, D.L., Pearson, T., Glover, K.D., Kleinjan, J. 2018. Impact of grain morphology and genotype by environment interactions on test weight of spring and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Euphytica. 214:125. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-018-2202-7.
Clohessy, J.W., Pauli, D., Kreher, K.M., Buckler IV, E.S., Armstrong, P.R., Wu, T., Hoekenga, O.A., Jannink, J., Sorrells, M.E., Gore, M.A. 2018. A low-cost automated system for high-throughput phenotyping of single oat seeds. The Plant Phenome Journal. 1(1):1-13. https://doi.org/10.2135/tppj2018.07.0005.
Armstrong, P.R., McClung, A.M., Maghirang, E.B., Chen, M., Brabec, D.L., Yaptenco, K.F., Famoso, A.N., Addison, C.K. 2019. Detection of chalk in single kernels of long-grain milled rice using imaging and visible/near infrared instruments. Cereal Chemistry. 96(6):1103-1111. https://doi.org/10.1002/cche.10220.
Athanassiou, C.G., Kavallieratos, N.G., Brabec, D.L., Oppert, B.S., Guedes, R.C., Campbell, J.F. 2019. From immobilization to recovery: Towards the development of a rapid diagnostic indicator for phosphine resistance. Journal of Stored Products Research. 80:28-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2018.10.004.
Petingco, M.C., Casada, M.E., Maghirang, R.G., Thompson, S.A., McNeill, S.G., Montross, M.D., Turner, A.P. 2018. Influence of kernel shape and size on the packing ratio and compressibility of hard red winter wheat. Transactions of the ASABE. 61(4):1437-1448. https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.12648.
Gonzales, H., Tatarko, J., Casada, M.E., Maghirang, R., Hagen, L., Barden, C. 2020. Computational fluid dynamics simulation of airflow through standing vegetation. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. 62(6):1713-1722. https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.13449.
Rosales, J.H., Yaptenco, K.F., Aguila, M.B., Armstrong, P.R. 2019. Rapid differentiation of commercially-available soy sauces using near-infrared spectroscopy. Philippine Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. 15(2):3-12.
